《The Wandering Healer - A Tactical Healer LITRPG Story [Healer] [Weak-To-Strong]》 Chapter 1: Non-Stop Medical Surgery 24/7 ¡°Fucking. Medical. School.¡± I¡¯m really beginning to question everything¡ªendlessly performing surgeries in this remote, resource-strapped hospital. It¡¯s relentless, being the only anesthetist across this entire hospital. None of this should¡¯ve happened, yet somehow, here I am. And don¡¯t even get me started on my partner¡ªshe passed out an hour ago, exhausted. Just after the other doctors from the previous shift left for the airport for a conference, a chain accident brought in sixty casualties, eight of whom needed immediate surgery. It was just the four of us: me, the internist, the EM, and the surgeon. Four people, barely holding the emergency room. ¡°Catch!¡± The surgeon tossed me an energy drink, and I caught it just in time. My hands were shaky as I cracked it open, chugging it in a desperate attempt to keep going. ¡°This is some hellish luck, don¡¯t you think?¡± He grunted, a half-hearted chuckle slipping out. ¡°I think we¡¯re cursed.¡± I took in the sight of the blood-slicked hallway, stretchers crammed in every possible corner, injured patients sprawled on whatever empty floor space we could find. The bus had flipped, colliding with a gas tanker, but by some miracle, no one had died on impact. Yet. Dilla, our emergency physician, was among the chaos, passed out from sheer exhaustion on one of the makeshift hospital beds lining the corridor, her breathing shallow but her eyes were vigilant, somehow. My pay had been cut, all because this state-run hospital couldn¡¯t afford to support us. And residents like me¡ªwe¡¯re cheap labor here. That¡¯s how I ended up trapped in this relentless cycle. Attendings showed up occasionally, supposedly to ¡°challenge¡± us in high-stress situations. But this? This was beyond that, and it was killing us slowly. I could feel it in every bone, every aching joint, the weight of the place pressing down until I could hardly breathe. ¡°Could be worse,¡± the surgeon mumbled, as if trying to convince himself as much as me. ¡°Eric!¡± I snapped, a bitterness seeping into my tone. ¡°What? I¡¯m just joking, Ella,¡± he replied with a tired smile, flipping up his surgical mask to sip his own energy drink. ¡°Anyway, I think we¡¯re finally done for the day. I think.¡± ¡°If more patients suddenly come in, that¡¯s on you,¡± I muttered, trying to hide my frustration as I glared at him. ¡°Haha, fair enough.¡± Eric laughed, the sound hollow, almost manic. I couldn¡¯t understand how he kept his spirits up through all of this, how he could somehow laugh it off. He was unhinged, to put it lightly. Brilliant, sure¡ªhe could breeze through a one-hour surgery in half the time, like he was on autopilot. But I¡¯d seen him, too, hiding behind a surgical curtain to pop anti-manic or antidepressant pills when he thought no one noticed. And yet, somehow, he kept going. I couldn¡¯t decide if it was sheer resilience or if he¡¯d just lost touch with reality altogether. Either way, it was both impressive and a little terrifying, especially here, where survival seemed to depend on us pushing the limits of sanity. Then again, nobody was sane in this hospital, really. We were just good at hiding it. Dilla was running on Adderall the last time I asked her, Eric was¡­ well, whatever that was. I was on Alprazolam just to take the edge off, and the internist had his own struggles¡ªa full-on psychotic episode last time he was away from the hospital, or so he said. Yet somehow, we were holding it together, piece by fractured piece.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Why nobody was here? Well, for starter, this was a shitty region with a shitty infrastructure. No one would come here if not forced to. We were promised huge salary, but we should have known better about the deal offered. In the end, we made a solid team, dysfunctional as it was. Proof of that? No one had died on our watch today. Despite the chaos, the pills, and the sleepless nights, we were still here, pulling off miracles, somehow and somewhat. The energy drink fizzed in my hand, its metallic tang mixing with the stale air of the overcrowded hospital. I took a long gulp, feeling the bitter rush jolt through my system. The hallway was a mess¡ªblood splattered tiles, stretchers scattered haphazardly, and patients lined up, moaning softly in pain. Dilla lay passed out on a hospital bed nearby, her face pale against the stark sheets, the deep circles under her eyes matching mine. ¡°Hey, think we¡¯ll even remember any of this?¡± I asked Eric, my voice barely a murmur, lost in the hum of the overhead lights and the distant groans from patients down the hall. He shrugged, a slight grin on his face. ¡°If we don¡¯t die of exhaustion first.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound too bad,¡± I replied, and though it wasn¡¯t really funny, we both chuckled¡ªa dry, hollow sound that barely reached our tired eyes. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± Eric asked, his gaze drifting toward the blood-streaked floor and the makeshift beds crammed into every corner. ¡°Well, we¡¯ve still got sixty patients, and¡­ two hours until the others get back,¡± I said, glancing at my watch as if time had any real meaning here. ¡°I need to monitor the post-op patients and probably keep an eye on the emergency room. Lars¡­ well, he might actually start hallucinating soon if he doesn¡¯t take his meds.¡± ¡°Guess I¡¯ll grab another energy drink for Lars, and for you too, while I¡¯m at it,¡± Eric said, forcing a weak smile. ¡°Thanks,¡± I murmured, watching him disappear down the hall. I gulped the whole can then threw it at the nearby trash can. I could feel my heart pumping up from the energy drink, but well, we still had a long way tonight. If the exhaustion doesn¡¯t kill me, then the student debt would, or even, my parents¡¯ debts. I continued down the hallway, moving from bed to bed, pushing each one toward the intensive care unit, ventilators trailing behind, hissing softly with each shallow breath they sustained. Lars was doing the same, maneuvering beds into cramped spaces that should have been theirs hours ago, if not for the chaos keeping us on our feet. The patients deserved better, a real ICU setup rather than this makeshift holding area we¡¯d created, but we were stretched too thin. The energy drink was¡­ different. I didn¡¯t even remember its name¡ªAether, maybe? But somehow, it was keeping me upright, keeping me moving, even after nearly 72 hours without sleep. It wasn¡¯t like the usual rush of caffeine. This felt stranger, as if it were burning through the last reserves of energy I didn¡¯t know I had, and I could already feel the crash that would follow. ¡°This stuff can¡¯t be good for me,¡± I muttered to myself, but right now, survival took precedence over sense. ¡°Your eyes shot red, are you alright?¡± Suddenly Lars interrupted. ¡°Huh?¡± I didn¡¯t even realize it. Gradually, I felt the strength drain from my hands. The bed I''d been pushing came to an abrupt halt as my fingers slackened their grip. The hallway seemed to stretch and warp, the fluorescent lights above blurring into streaks. Lars noticed immediately, reaching out to steady me as my knees began to wobble. "Ella, hey¡ªare you alright?" His voice sounded distant, muffled by the sudden ringing that filled my ears. It was as if I were underwater, every sound distorted and far away. "I... I don''t know," I whispered, my chest tightening. My heart pounded erratically, each beat echoing loudly in my ears¡ªthump, thump, a relentless rhythm that only added to the dizziness swirling in my head. The blood felt like it was rushing too fast through my veins, each pulse a wave of pressure and pain. The edges of my vision darkened, tunneling until all I could see was a narrow path ahead. I tried to take a deep breath, but it caught in my throat, shallow and unsatisfying. "I''m so tired," I murmured, my eyelids heavy. I heard a loud thud, then everything shifted. A warm sensation washed over me, soft and all-encompassing, like a gentle blanket wrapping around every inch of my body. The pressure on my chest faded, my racing thoughts drifted away, and I felt¡­ nothing. No pain, no fear, just a weightless calm. It was light, so unbelievably light. A quiet, blissful release that left me floating, free from the relentless noise, the endless strain. I slipped away, feeling nothing but a gentle, almost euphoric calm¡ªa departure so soft, so full of release, it was almost¡­ pleasure. In the first time of the last twenty years, I felt happy. Chapter 2: When You See Your Life Stats After You Die I floated in the endless space, so quiet and peaceful, and then, suddenly, I felt like standing on top of a solid object, looking at a blank space. Then, suddenly, some kind of credits screen rolled in. The content was baffling. [Total time alive: 29 years, 154 days (each one dragging like a Monday)] [Amount of money gained: $112,500 (promptly donated to caffeine suppliers and student loans)] [Amount of words spoken: 14,678,320 (98% directed at walls, ceilings, or yourself)] [Number of patients saved: 1,421 (and one cactus you couldn¡¯t bear to let go)] [Hours of sleep lost: 18,200 (Despresso is your espresso)] [Number of surgeries assisted: 412 (still waiting for my ¡°10th one free¡± punch card)] [Times questioned career choice: 1,026 (and that¡¯s just today :D)] [Energy drinks consumed: 2,731 (blood type: caffeine-positive)] [Total Karma: S+ (somehow)] Seeing your own life stats laid out like this¡­ yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Like I just hit "Game Over" and the screen''s throwing up my end-of-level report card. [Choosing your type of heaven...] [Heaven Selected: "Mercenary Duty¡¯s: Infinite Respawn - Ultimate Multi-Realm FPS Edition"] Even my afterlife felt like a cosmic joke. I mean, seriously¡ªthat¡¯s what I get? I¡¯ve logged enough hours in games to know a knockoff title when I see one. But here I was, apparently signed up for some eternal first-person shooter in the great beyond. Goddamn, what even is this place? Then, suddenly, a new screen popped up, listing my ¡°stats.¡± Wait¡ªwhat? So I¡¯m actually getting reincarnated into a game world? Like, that¡¯s really happening? Wait, I can¡¯t change anything, What??? Name: [ERROR: Too Sleep-Deprived to Remember; Suggestion: Change Your Name] Class: Guardian Healer (Because you¡¯re always ¡°healing¡± everyone else¡¯s mess, anesthesia) Race: Fallen Angel (Let¡¯s face it, you¡¯ve got the vibe) Strength: 5 (Bench-presses negative emotions, but not much else) Agility: 20 (Permanently Buffed by Caffeine, L-Carnitine, and Taurine) Vitality: 50 (Either hibernates for five days or pulls five all-nighters¡ªno in-between) Aptitude: 15 (For magic and, apparently, summoning coffee and Red Bull out of thin air) I stared at the screen, caught somewhere between disbelief and a weird, twisted sense of amusement. Should I be happy about this? I mean, I did clock in enough hours gaming to appreciate it. But on the other hand, it kind of felt like the universe¡¯s final, cosmic prank. Then, out of nowhere, I was face-to-face with¡­ myself. Well, sort of. She was me, but without the ever-present eyebags, the crooked glasses, and the "I survived med school" level of exhaustion etched into every feature. She looked¡­ stunning, actually. A version of me who¡¯d apparently slept eight hours a night and didn¡¯t live off caffeine. Not stopping there, she had white hair, red eyes, and a pair of demonic horns. Then her appearance flickered again, and a settings panel popped up in front of me. Suddenly, I could adjust everything¡ªskin tone, hairstyle, height, build¡­ and, uh, yes, even breast size. And somehow, as if things couldn¡¯t get weirder, there was an entire dropdown menu for my genitals. I stared at the options, half in shock, half in amusement. Whoever designed this game really didn¡¯t hold back, did they? Apparently, my afterlife had been handed to the same devs who made overly ambitious RPG character creators.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Goddamn,¡± I muttered to myself, scrolling through options. ¡°They¡¯re really letting me go all out on this one?¡± I skipped most of the options¡ªhonestly, I was already more than satisfied with this version of myself. It felt surreal, like staring at an idealized reflection, polished and perfected in every way. I didn¡¯t need to mess with it; it was as good as it was. All I did was tweak the hairstyle, swapping my usual short, unkempt look for a simple ponytail. Just enough to feel a bit like ¡°me¡± but without the perpetual bedhead. Satisfied, I took a deep breath, staring at this strange, upgraded version of myself, wondering what I¡¯d just signed up for in this bizarre afterlife. Then, the menu shifted, and suddenly I was dressed head-to-toe in military gear, a rugged uniform that looked like it had seen its fair share of battle. In my hands, I gripped an assault rifle¡ªthe unmistakable silhouette of a G36. The ¡°me¡± on the screen gave a casual wave, almost like a final farewell, before I felt a strange pull, and then¡ªwhoosh¡ªI was inside her body. It was surreal. I could feel my hands, strong and steady around the rifle, the weight of the gear pressing down on my shoulders, and the solid ground beneath my feet. I glanced down, flexing my fingers, and shifting my stance. Not stopping there, I suddenly arrived at a shooting range, as abruptly as it sounded. My G36 was lying down on the table, alongside several magazines. I approached the table, then an overlay appeared on top of my head. [Welcome, recruit. Now, you¡¯ll learn the basics of weapon handling, class skills, and class perks] ¡°Ok?¡± I nodded, grabbing the assault rifle. I slipped the magazine into the mag well with a practiced motion, like it was second nature. Then I pulled the charging handle back, feeling the solid, satisfying click as the rifle was readied. The strange part? My ¡°experience¡± with handling guns was pretty much limited to VR games and the occasional YouTube tutorial binge. [Please Hit The Targets] Several targets popped up in front of me. Without a second thought, I flicked the safety to semi-auto and squeezed the trigger, each shot precise and controlled. I felt the weight of the trigger pull, the smooth recoil pressing back against my shoulder¡ªoddly gentle like the rifle was custom-fitted just for me. Despite never handling a real rifle before, it felt effortless, almost natural. The shots landed squarely on each target as if I¡¯d spent years training for this. Every squeeze, every burst of recoil, was¡­ satisfying, in a strange way. And¡­ why am I happy? I never felt this ecstatic before. [Good job, recruit. Now, let¡¯s see, what¡¯s your name?] I paused for a second, considering my options. "Ella" didn¡¯t seem quite right here¡ªit felt too connected to the person I used to be. But I wasn¡¯t about to go with something ridiculous like XxxdickslicerxxX, either. No, I needed something simple, something that fit this strange new version of myself. ¡°Ain,¡± I thought. Just a single word, short and straightforward. It had a certain calm to it, a kind of quiet strength. Yeah, that felt right. I¡¯d be Ain in this world. [Welcome, Ain. Here are your skills and perks] Skills: Healing Hands Perks: First Aider Healing Hands: By simply touching an ally, you can heal their injuries. But be careful¡ªthis power drains your Psionic Energy, and if you run out, it¡¯ll start draining your own health instead. You can also use this skill on yourself. First Aider: Your bandaging and first-aid skills are 50% faster than other classes, making you the go-to for quick battlefield patch-ups. Plus, you take 50% less damage while healing others¡ªbecause even the healer needs some protection in the line of fire. Great. Apparently, I was rolling with a support build in a shooter. [Now, let¡¯s try that skill, shall we?] Out of nowhere, an injured guy stumbled into view. His body was riddled with gunshot wounds, holes in places that should have definitely shut down basic motor functions. Yet, somehow, he was still moving, limping forward as if unfazed, even managing to aim and shoot at the targets. I blinked in disbelief. How the fuck is he even alive? With wounds like that, he should be face-down on the ground, not playing soldier in this freakish tutorial. [Tap the person to engage the skill] ¡°Alright, here goes nothing¡­¡± I muttered, reaching out to tap his shoulder. As I tapped his shoulder, a soft blue aura radiated from my hand, wrapping around him like a healing cocoon. So that¡¯s the Psionic Energy, I thought, watching as the wounds on his body slowly knitted themselves shut. Above his head, a red health bar crept upward, filling bit by bit. This was¡­ surreal. Almost too surreal. Healing someone with a touch? Watching their health bar refill in real time? Yeah, it¡¯s definitely odd. Before I could fully process it, a series of turrets popped out from the walls, unleashing a barrage of bullets straight at me. I braced myself, expecting blinding pain or, well, instant death. Instead, I felt¡­ a pinch. Just a light sting as my own health bar in the bottom left corner started ticking down. I stared at the bullet wounds on my body, barely feeling them. This is supposed to be gunfire, I thought, baffled. Real bullets and it¡¯s just a¡­ pinch? [Congratulations on taking your first bullet] ¡°I guess?¡± I shrugged. [Now, you need to feel death] Flick. Without warning, everything went dark, like someone had just flipped a switch and turned off the lights. One second, I was standing there, alive, albeit with a few bullet holes; the next, it was pitch black, an unsettling silence wrapping around me. I blinked, trying to make sense of it. So, this was what it felt like to die here? Just a switch to black? No pain, no drama, just¡­ nothingness. Chapter 3: New Beginning - Freedoooooooom I woke up with a strange tingle in my chest, but other than that, I felt... fine. I glanced down to find a bandage wrapped snugly around my torso. My combat shirt was hanging on a hook nearby, and I was lying on a cot in the middle of a dimly lit medic tent. The last thing I remembered was everything going black, that bizarre simulation of ¡°death,¡± and now here I was, patched up and apparently back in action. I ran my fingers over the bandage, half-expecting to find fresh pain, but there was only a dull ache. It was surreal. [New Debuff Added: Freshly Revived - Dull Pain Added] I sighed, spotting the notification in the corner of my vision. Freshly Revived¡ªwell, that explained the twinge in my chest. I flexed my shoulders, feeling the stiffness settle in, and shook my head. Of course, I thought, smirking to myself. Nothing like a +Dull Pain debuff to welcome me back to the land of the living. ¡°Eh you, you finally awake?¡± I nodded to the left, ¡°You were trying to cross¡ª¡° Right¡­ the wrong response. [Erin - Elf Necromancer - Level 20] ¡°You were killed by the 20mm autocannon,¡± she said nonchalantly, her voice light and melodic. ¡°I¡¯m just glad you went quickly¡ªmost people don¡¯t get that luxury. Usually, it¡¯s a drawn-out process, and they¡¯re forced to experience the whole¡­ let¡¯s say, gradual disintegration.¡± She looked me over, her eyes bright with an unsettling curiosity. ¡°Still, I think you¡¯re a special case, Ain. Let¡¯s see¡­ you¡¯ve got a touch of revival sickness, a bit of dull pain, and¡­ perhaps some memory loss?¡± She raised a brow. ¡°Anything else feels off?¡± I just stared, too stunned to speak. In front of me was a real elf¡ªa real elf, with emerald green hair, pointy ears, and an otherworldly aura that left no doubt she was anything but human. And a necromancer, no less. I was half expecting to wake up from this surreal scene, but here I was, sitting in a combat tent, being medically assessed by an elf with a casual attitude toward my recent brush with death. I wasn¡¯t remotely prepared for this¡ªan elf, complete with pointy ears and green hair, decked out in tactical gear, casually assessing my ¡°condition.¡± I mean, sure, I¡¯d always been a bit of a fantasy nerd, but this? Elves in chainmail or robes? Classic. But an elf in tactical gear? That was a whole new level of bizarre. "Where am I?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around everything. ¡°You¡¯re in Ludmilla,¡± Erin replied, matter-of-factly. ¡°This is one of the starter bases¡ªset up mainly to deal with the corrupted and the automatas if I have to say. Based on your current angel form, I think you¡¯re fine. I see no sign of Aether corruption or anything else.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I blinked, the words barely making sense, but the moment I observed my body, I was in my angel form. She sighed as if explaining the obvious. ¡°You know, those delightful folks responsible for your¡­ recent death?¡± I stared at her, still processing. Corrupted? Automatas? Starter bases? Being bombarded by information was an understatement, I felt like the whole information was slapped in my face, but in a somehow good way, I guess? ¡°Hmph, anyway, if you¡¯re done,¡± Erin said, crossing her arms, ¡°you should probably head over to the depot and claim your insurance. They¡¯ll have most of your primary combat supplies waiting for you.¡± ¡°The depot?¡± I echoed, still struggling to piece it all together. She gave an exasperated sigh like she was dealing with a clueless newbie. ¡°Yes. From here, go out, take a left, and head to the biggest building. Can¡¯t miss it.¡± ¡°Right¡­ thanks,¡± I muttered, glancing toward the tent flap. Insurance claims, starter bases, an elf in tactical gear¡ªit was a lot to take in, but at this point, I figured I¡¯d just roll with it and hope I didn¡¯t get killed by another autocannon on the way there. I picked up the combat shirt alongside the tactical gear near the bed. It was easy to put all of these things on. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how much gear I could actually carry here. Realistically, probably not much, but hey, if I was in a fantasy/FPS hybrid world, maybe physics would have taken a back seat. With my gear set, I stepped out of the tent, following Erin¡¯s directions. The base bustled with a mix of soldiers and¡­ well, fantasy characters, elves like Erin mingling with heavily armored bulletproof knights and a few cyborgs who looked right out of a Cyberpunk. Seriously, what the hell? The depot was a small building, with a man sitting behind a bulletproof glass, waiting for me, hands on his hips. The first thing I noticed was his mustache¡ªthick, precisely trimmed, and unmistakably styled in that classic WWI look. It was like he¡¯d stepped straight out of an old wartime photo. He caught me staring and grinned. ¡°Yes, young angel, I know I¡¯m handsome,¡± he said with a wink. ¡°Now, you¡¯re here to retrieve your insured items, right? Just remember¡ªanything you pick up out there? Not my responsibility. I don¡¯t insure battlefield souvenirs, capiche?¡± ¡°Uh, capiche,¡± I replied, still taken aback by his whole aesthetic. ¡°Alright, looks like you¡¯re missing¡­ a G36¡­ and an ULACH helmet. That sound right?¡± the depot guy asked, eyeing me over his clipboard. ¡°Uh, yeah, I think so,¡± I replied, still getting used to this whole ¡°supply retrieval¡± process. ¡°Good. Those are disposable items anyway, so don¡¯t get too attached,¡± he said, setting the assault rifle and helmet on the table with a casual clank. I picked up the rifle, slinging it over my shoulder, feeling the weight settle naturally against my back. Just like before, the motion felt instinctual, as if the muscle memory had always been there. I grabbed the helmet, giving it a once-over. It wasn¡¯t anything fancy, but hey, anything for protection, I suppose. [You can open inventory by thought, try it] Ok¡­? I thought, and suddenly, a screen appeared in my mind''s eye. [Inventory - 10/25 kg] [1,000 UC] [Weapons][Vehicles][Armor/Equipment] I squinted at the currency display. "What¡¯s UC?" I asked aloud, clueless.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. The depot guy raised an eyebrow, giving me a look like I¡¯d just asked what air was. ¡°Universal Credits,¡± he replied with a slight smirk. ¡°Currency around here. You¡¯ll use it for supplies and repairs, maybe a Sukhoi fighter jet if you¡¯re feeling ambitious, or a BMW if you¡¯re feeling fancy. Not that I recommend it. And don¡¯t even get me started on the mechs and spaceships some folks bring back¡ªthose things are a nightmare to insure.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± I muttered, mentally noting that I had a thousand of these ¡°Universal Credits¡± stashed away, though I had no idea how far that would actually get me. ¡°Still, young angel,¡± he continued, shrugging as he sorted through more supplies, ¡°you¡¯ve got all the time in the world. You¡¯ll live forever, so why not mix it up? Try being a cook, a merc, a guild receptionist, or¡­ I dunno, whatever else you can think of.¡± He looked up, giving me a playful smirk. ¡°After a few centuries, you might even invent a few new jobs yourself.¡± I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°Yeah, maybe I¡¯ll start with not dying again today, and work my way up from there.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit,¡± the guy chuckled, flashing a grin. ¡°And hey, if you somehow end up broke, don¡¯t sweat it¡ªI can always hand you a few leftover Makarovs. Most people bounce back pretty quickly with those. If you have any loot, you can sell it off here, I¡¯ll use the standard market price.¡± ¡°Much appreciated,¡± I replied, giving him a nod as I finally stepped out of the depot, feeling a strange sense of freedom wash over me. For the first time, I noticed how light I felt¡ªno hunger, no thirst, no exhaustion weighing me down. Just a pure, unburdened sense of purpose, like I was finally free to chase whatever I wanted. It was a blessing, a gift, and that singular desire to move forward filled me with an energy I¡¯d never known. Was this how a normal person thinks and feels? I continued down the road, taking in the sights and wondering what exactly I was supposed to do next. Killing some things seemed like a solid start. If this world really was some kind of game, that¡¯s how people usually leveled up, right? Besides, a bit of action could give me a better idea of what I was capable of. Then my eyes caught sight of a large two-story building with bold letters across the top: GUILD BUILDING. If any place was handing out beginner jobs, it had to be there. Plus, maybe the guild could offer some direction on what kind of quests or ¡°targets¡± were even out there to¡­ ¡°take care of.¡± As I continued walking, I took a deep breath, surprised by the freshness of the air. Despite the heavy military presence¡ªsoldiers, armored vehicles, and all¡ªthe air was surprisingly clean, free of the usual diesel or industrial stench. Instead, it carried a subtle, calming scent of leaves, mixed with the warm hint of freshly baked bread wafting from somewhere nearby. The village itself looked like something out of a postcard: cobblestone streets, quaint little houses with stone walls and wooden shutters, and old-fashioned lampposts lining the road. It had the charm of a European village frozen in time, blending perfectly with the surreal atmosphere of soldiers and the occasional fantasy character strolling by. However, as I glanced to the right, it became clear just how bizarre this village really was. Occasionally, an F-15 would roar into the sky, or¡ªget this¡ªa dragon flying right alongside a helicopter. I did a double-take. A dragon escort? Was that really happening? The airfield beyond wasn¡¯t huge, but it was packed with an array of military hardware¡ªjets, attack helicopters, and vehicles that had to cost millions if not billions. It left me wondering. Were those dragon riders and jet pilots other players? Or was this just¡­ how this world operated? I had no clue, but the more I saw, the more questions I had. This place was a melting pot of everything from fantasy to modern warfare, and the sheer madness of it made my head spin. Without realizing it, I just crashed against a steel pole. ¡°I truly apologize, young angel. Does it hurt anywhere?¡± Or not. ¡°I¡¯m fine, sorry,¡± I replied, looking up at the figure towering over me¡ªa genuine ogre. His skin was a deep green, his face a bit intimidating, bald with two large tusks protruding from his lower jaw. Yet, despite his appearance, his mannerisms were almost¡­ polite, refined even, a contrast to the fearsome exterior. Shrek? But what really caught my eye was his armor. Sleek, almost futuristic, with hints of hydraulics built into the joints. It was clearly a power armor, but one with a unique twist¡ªon his back was a massive weapon, something like a minigun, but bulkier, and connected by thick cables to an ammo backpack. Whatever he was equipped for, it wasn¡¯t subtle. [O¡¯k - Ogre Paladin - Lvl. 60] ¡°Are you new here, dear angel?¡± O¡¯k asked, his voice rumbling with an odd gentleness. ¡°Kinda,¡± I replied, still a bit taken aback by his formal tone. ¡°I see. Then please, exercise caution as you navigate these lands,¡± he said, nodding with a grave sincerity. ¡°It would be most unfortunate for one as young as yourself to encounter¡­ undue hardship.¡± ¡°You too,¡± I offered, feeling an odd sense of duty to return his politeness. Eventually, I arrived at the guild building, and as I stepped up, the door slid open automatically. Inside, a sprawling wooden table dominated the room, and seated behind it was a guild receptionist¡ªa female goblin, no less, dressed sharply in a tailored suit. She glanced up briefly and pointed toward four terminals in the corner. ¡°Quests are on the terminals. Just tap and scroll,¡± she said. I walked over to the nearest terminal, and pressed the touchscreen. A list of available missions lit up the display, along with my current level and Combat Power, conveniently abbreviated as ¡°CP.¡± The jobs were sorted by difficulty level, ranging from the simplest hunts to more dangerous missions. At the easy end, there were standard ¡°Slime Hunts¡±¡ªa bit of low-stakes monster cleanup, I guessed. At the other end, though, were the tougher ones: ¡°Automata Hunts,¡± reserved for those with serious combat experience. As I continued scrolling through the quest list, I noticed a separate section dedicated to requests specifically for healers. These varied from simple support assignments to more urgent rescue missions, where healers were needed on the front lines to stabilize injured fighters or retrieve wounded allies from active combat zones. The requests were tempting¡ªhigh EXP bonuses, and good UC rewards, and they seemed perfectly suited to my class abilities. But some of them sounded intense, with terms like ¡°emergency extraction¡± and ¡°high-risk zone¡± popping up. I better get used to this world first, let¡¯s just take it slow. I took the slime subjugation quest. The reward was small, merely a 100 UC, but c¡¯mon, it was slimes, I don¡¯t really expect any bigger reward. The moment I accepted the quest, a new objective popped up in the top right corner of my vision. [Kill 30 Slimes: 0/30] ¡°This should be easy,¡± I grinned. I stepped out of the guild, heading toward the village¡¯s gate. As I approached, the scale of security became even more apparent. Two massive APCs, each outfitted with 30mm autocannons, stood like sentinels on either side of the gate. A squad of soldiers, all clad in power armor and wielding heavy weapons, kept a vigilant watch over the area. The moment I stepped out of the village gate, a notification appeared. [Out of Safe Zone] The road leading out of the village was a straightforward, no-frills concrete strip, clearly designed for minimal upkeep. It stretched across the open grasslands ahead, bordered by patches of wildflowers and swaying grass. It was peaceful, almost deceptively so. In the grasslands beyond, I already had an idea of what I¡¯d find: slimes. Predictable, squishy, and probably the least threatening creatures in any fantasy realm. This hunt wouldn¡¯t be complex or glamorous, but I figured it would be a decent warm-up¡ªsomething simple to get a feel for how things worked here. I slowly took a deep breath, aimed my rifle at the slime, and pulled the trigger. The 5.56 bullet flew out of the barrel, piercing the slime right at its core, instantly disintegrating it, and the gelatinous creature splashed into the grass. ¡°That was easy.¡± [+1 Gelatinous Substance] Then, I moved my sight into another slime, took aim, and then shot. I then moved my sight to another slime, and the cycle repeated. The rhythm was almost satisfying in its simplicity: aim, fire, watch the slime explode into harmless goo. Each shot took down a slime in one hit¡ªno resistance, no retaliation, just straightforward, effortless takedowns. It wasn¡¯t exactly thrilling, but it was¡­ oddly relaxing. No wild monsters, no risk, just the sound of each slime bursting into puddles. One by one, I worked my way across the field, clearing slimes like it was second nature, watching the counter rise with each squelch. [Kill 30 Slimes: 18/30] [Kill 30 Slimes: 26/30] Finally, I aimed at the last few stragglers, and with three more pops, the job was done. [Kill 30 Slimes: 30/30] [Exiting Combat: +300 EXP] [Quest Complete: +100 UC, +50 Exp] Chapter 4: Back At The Guild It didn¡¯t take me too long to return to the guild to take another quest. It only took me 30 bullets to finish the quest, but I already had the feeling that I somehow understood how this world worked. This world was far from realistic, heck, the opposite of it. Hell, even the loot got automatically transported into my inventory. ¡°I already knew the quest is too easy for you, Ain,¡± the guild receptionist said. [Eleanor - Goblin Summoner - Lvl.100] ¡°Anything you recommend, Eleanor?¡± I asked. The small goblin thought for a second. ¡°Let¡¯s see, maybe basic corrupted hunting would do, and probably would be way more challenging as well. You haven¡¯t been shot yet, have you? It will teach you a thing or two.¡± As I walked back toward the village, my mind drifted to the chatter I¡¯d heard around town about the ¡°corrupted.¡± Everyone mentioned them like some common threat, but no one had actually explained what they were. Were they people infected with some kind of virus? Zombies? Mutants? I couldn¡¯t tell. It was starting to bother me. Were they humans who¡¯d lost their minds? Or maybe something more sinister, like a force that took over and twisted people beyond recognition? Like the one that happened in Dead Space or Alien with necromorph and xenomorph? I wasn¡¯t sure. I never played those games, I was too scared to death, honestly speaking, if that was the case. ¡°What is corrupted, exactly?¡± I asked, needing to get a clear answer. The female goblin gave a weary sigh as if she¡¯d answered this question one too many times. ¡°Corrupted? They¡¯re people who¡¯ve fallen under the influence of a psionic wave emitter. When someone dies within its range, their body doesn¡¯t just stay down¡ªit gets revived, brought back with¡­ let¡¯s say, significantly less humanity.¡± I stared, trying to wrap my head around it. ¡°So, these are like¡­ resurrected bodies?¡± She nodded. ¡°Yeah, but twisted. A lot of high-level fighters died out there, still geared up with their weapons and skills. Some time after death, if they¡¯re in that psionic field, they don¡¯t just rot away¡ªthey come back but corrupted. Strong, hostile, and completely devoid of reason. For every powerful fighter who dies in the emitter¡¯s range, we¡¯ve got a potential nightmare on our hands.¡± I shivered. ¡°Sounds like a mess.¡± ¡°It is. Still, it could be worse,¡± she added with a shrug. ¡°At least we¡¯re not up north in the mesa, dealing with the Unions. Now that¡¯s a nightmare. And rumor has it, some folks here eventually get mixed up in weird stuff¡ªbank heists or who knows what.¡± She gave me a pointed look. ¡°Girl, just stay out of trouble.¡± ¡°Noted,¡± I replied, nodding, though I couldn¡¯t help feeling a twinge of curiosity. So far, I¡¯d come to one bizarre conclusion: people didn¡¯t seem to stay dead here, which was... oddly funny, in a twisted way. Between the psionic wave emitters reviving people into corrupted forms and the ¡°Freshly Revived¡± debuff I¡¯d picked up, it was clear that death was more of a temporary inconvenience than a permanent state in this world. The laws of physics and nature seemed to be bent out of shape, too. Things just didn¡¯t operate like they would back home. It felt more and more like I¡¯d been dropped into a game world, a place with its own quirky logic and rules that didn¡¯t quite line up with reality. I wasn¡¯t sure what my purpose was here or what I was supposed to do, but the possibilities were strange, vast, and honestly, kind of exciting. Especially since the biggest consequence of fucking around was absent. ¡°Eleanor, what¡¯s the use of gelatinous substances?¡± "Hmmm, food? Yeah, you cook it down until it thickens up, and turns into jell-o, marshmallows, pudding¡ªwhatever you¡¯re in the mood for. Simple, right?" She chuckled, then added with a sly grin, "Funny enough, there¡¯s actually a pretty high demand for ballistic gel around here, but honestly? I mostly use the stuff as food."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. She leaned in as if sharing a secret. "Tell you what, here¡¯s a recipe from me. Good for keeping the energy up, and it won¡¯t taste half bad. Just, uh, don¡¯t burn the tent down, okay? We¡¯re all a bit tired of newbies setting the place on fire because they¡¯ve never so much as touched a stove before." [Eleanor¡¯s Pudding Recipe Has Been Added] I opened my inventory and pulled out the piece of paper from thin air, looking over Eleanor¡¯s recipe with a smirk. A caffeine-laced chocolate pudding? Not bad¡ªhonestly, it sounded pretty great. The recipe was straightforward; coffee, chocolate, the gelatinous substance, milk, mix it all together, then boil it on the stove. ¡°Anyway, back on the topic,¡± the female goblin said, leaning forward. ¡°I¡¯ve got a job that might suit you. There¡¯s a spot near the main road where a bunch of newbies just bit the dust. Figured it¡¯d be a decent warm-up for you. The reward is 3,000 UC. Interested?¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s their threat level?¡± She shrugged. ¡°They¡¯re broke newbies¡ªarmed with an assortment of basics. AKMS, ADAR, and some pistols. Nothing fancy. Keep your distance, and you should manage just fine.¡± I considered it, weighing the risk. Sounded straightforward enough. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take the task.¡± [Kill Corrupted Targets: 0/?] The goblin¡¯s eyes gleamed with approval. ¡°Excellent. Hey, a little bit of heads up, if you¡¯re in doubt, just spray and pray, it usually works.¡± She then smiled. ¡°You might want some extra magazines and ammo from the depot, talk to Wilhelm first.¡± ¡°Thanks for the advice.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± With the job set, I left the guild building and made my way back to the arms depot. Sure enough, Wilhelm was there, his small handlebar mustache meticulously groomed and still as peculiar as ever. But after learning his name, ¡°Wilhelm,¡± it somehow all fit together. Of course, the guy with the World War I vibe would have a name like that. It was almost¡­ endearing, in a strange way. He looked up as I approached, giving a slight nod. ¡°Back so soon, young angel? What can I do for you?¡± ¡°Bullets, I guess?¡± ¡°Oh, bullets, is it?¡± Wilhelm grinned, clearly in his element. ¡°Alright, for 5.56, I¡¯ve got some options for you. Looking for M855, maybe? Standard issue, good for most tasks. Or, if you¡¯re looking to punch through a bit more, there¡¯s M855A1, which has a bit more armor-piercing capability.¡± He raised an eyebrow. ¡°And if you¡¯re really looking for top-tier, I can get you M995 armor-piercing rounds. Not cheap, but they¡¯ll do the job on tougher targets.¡± There were too many bullets, no, I don¡¯t even know what those things were. ¡°Something for low-level corrupted, I guess?¡± I said. Wilhelm eyed me with a smirk. ¡°Ohhhhh, thinking about M855, are we? Hmmm¡­ might be a bit much for you, even if it¡¯s just 1 UC per round. Now, how about something a little simpler? Basic 5.56 FMJ¡ªfull metal jacket. Nice, cheap, and I sell it in bulk. 30 UC for 120 rounds.¡± He tapped his chin thoughtfully, clearly enjoying his sales pitch. ¡°And for the full setup, I can throw in a couple of Magpul mags. Normally, that¡¯d be 80 UC total, but for you, dear girl, I¡¯ll give a discount. How¡¯s 60 UC sound?¡± I nodded, weighing the offer. For 60 UC, a bulk deal like that sounded pretty good, and I could tell Wilhelm was enjoying the negotiation almost as much as I was. ¡°Sounds fair. I¡¯ll take it.¡± Without another word, Wilhelm placed four magazines on the table, each one loaded and ready to go. I picked them up, watching as they vanished neatly into my inventory. A notification flashed in my HUD as the 60 UC transferred automatically to his account. ¡°Have a nice hunt, young girl,¡± he said with a warm smile. ¡°Thanks, Kaiser,¡± I teased. His smile widened, clearly amused. ¡°Ah, so you caught on to my mustache¡¯s meaning. Sharp eye. Tell you what, young angel¡ªkeep that sense of humor, and I might just throw in an extra discount in the future. Don¡¯t expect me to throw discounts for an armored frame, though.¡± ¡°Much appreciated.¡± With that, I made my way back to the village gate, stepping out once more but with a new destination in mind. This time, I was heading further down the road, toward the spot where the corrupteds had last been seen. A small mission objective marker blinked steadily at the edge of my vision, guiding me like a compass. The road was as quiet as ever, the only movement coming from the occasional slimes bobbing through the grasslands, minding their own business. They dotted the fields like bizarre, jelly-like decorations, completely oblivious to my presence. I kept walking, eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of human¡ªor rather, corrupted¡ªfigures. So far, nothing. Just the peaceful stretch of road and the endless sway of grass in the breeze. Had this world¡¯s easiest way of grinding for cash was not killing, maybe this grassland would already be filled with houses. Continuing down the road, I eventually spotted several figures in the distance, moving in that unmistakable, unsettling limp¡ªlike zombies. But unlike the mindless undead, these corrupteds clutched weapons in their hands, their fingers still tight around the triggers. Eleanor hadn¡¯t been lying; they weren¡¯t brainless. They still had enough coordination to handle guns, even if their movements were stiff and unnatural. I squinted, trying to get a clearer view. Their eyes had a vacant, glazed look, confirming my suspicion that whatever mental faculties they had left were limited at best. They might still be able to aim and fire, but strategy? Thought? I doubted it. Chapter 5: First Gunfight Against The Corrupted - Level Up I raised the G36, steadying it in my hands, and aimed through the sight at the four humanoid figures standing scattered across the grassland. They were, unmistakably, once people¡ªhuman enough in form, but the details told another story. Their clothing was riddled with bullet holes and soaked in bloodstains, torn and ragged from whatever conflict had ended them the first time around. I noticed signs of wear that could only come from prolonged exposure to gunfire. Killed by something else that could shoot, I thought, my mind drifting to the possibility of other corrupted encounters, maybe even a firefight between them. But whatever happened before, it was about to end here and now. They wouldn¡¯t last two minutes. With the sight lined up, I squeezed the trigger, sending a controlled burst of precise shots downrange. My G36 spat out rounds in quick succession, each shot echoing across the quiet grassland. The bullets hit their marks, and one of the corrupted figures staggered under the impact, its body jerking as each shot tore into it. The others turned, heads tilting in my direction, clearly alerted to my presence. But I didn¡¯t stop, keeping up a steady rhythm, aiming carefully and peppering the first corrupted with round after round until it crumpled to the ground. I ejected the empty magazine, letting it drop to the ground as I quickly slotted a fresh one into place. Just as I clicked it in, a sudden hail of bullets came screaming toward me, the corrupted firing their weapons in full auto with reckless abandon. I dived down, pressing myself against the ground to make as small a target as possible, the dirt and grass providing scant cover but enough to stay out of immediate sight. [Husks - Lvl.2-6] Husks, huh? A sharp pinch hit my shoulder, then another, each one chipping away at my health bar in the corner of my vision. I gritted my teeth, feeling my HP steadily drop with each hit. But I kept my aim steady, returning fire even as their relentless spray of bullets rained down on me. Without even thinking, I activated my healing magic, feeling a rush of warmth as I channeled it into my injured shoulder. My blue Psionic Energy bar ticked down, replacing my red health bar as I patched myself up with my left hand while keeping my right on the trigger. The magic pulsed through me, dulling the pain, even as I stayed low to the ground. Even playing VR is never this good. I expected a rush of adrenaline, maybe a surge of fear or anxiety. But instead, I just felt¡­ excited. There was a strange thrill in being shot at, in feeling the bullets bite and then watching my left hand work its slow magic, filling up my health bar bit by bit. An idea sparked in my mind, bold and reckless. Why not? In this world, where death was temporary and rules were just suggestions, the "fuck it, we ball" approach seemed as good as any other. I emptied another magazine, feeling the last round fire off before flicking the empty mag to the ground. In one smooth motion, I loaded a fresh one and flicked the selector switch on my G36 to full auto. Fuck it, let¡¯s fucking go!!! With the sights locked on the nearest husks, I broke into a sprint, charging straight at them. The world blurred around me, my focus zeroed in on the targets as I closed the distance fast I felt a lot of pinches at my body as the barrel of my G36 kept pumping the husks with lead bullets. Switching targets, I brought my barrel within inches of another husk''s head and squeezed the trigger. The bullets tore through, shredding the tissue and bone, turning its face into minced meat. Just as the last round left my rifle, the magazine clicked empty. Without losing a beat, I yanked out the spent mag, flinging it straight at the final husk. The magazine hit him square in the face, making him flinch back just enough for me to reload. The fresh mag snapped into place with a satisfying click. Without a second thought, I lunged forward, ramming the barrel of my G36 directly into his head, and pulled the trigger. The final husk dropped to the ground, skull cracking as the rounds tore through, leaving nothing but a lifeless shell. I stood there for a moment, catching my breath, a grin creeping onto my face. ¡°That was fun.¡± My red health bar flickered dangerously, hanging at a mere 20%. It was reckless, I knew that. Charging headlong, taking all those hits¡ªit was a dumb move. But in the heat of the moment, with adrenaline surging and excitement overriding caution, I couldn¡¯t help myself. I placed my left hand against my body, feeling the warmth of my healing magic seep through. This time, I poured everything I had into it, draining my entire reserve of psionic energy. Gradually, my health bar began to fill, the pain easing as the magic worked its way through me.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. However, I realized that the absence of pain didn¡¯t necessarily mean the absence of injury. Despite the closed wounds, bloodstains had seeped through my clothing. However, the healing spell managed to close all of the holes. [Exiting Combat: +1,500 EXP] [Level Up: 1 ¡ú 3] [You Got Bonus Points For Your First Time Leveling Up] [24 Status Points Available] [3 Skill&Perks Points Available] [Quest Complete: +3,000 UC, +400 Exp] Nice. So, what is available at the moment for me? The status screen then opened up for me, displaying the stats, and the whole thing about what its main purpose was. [24 Skill Points Available] [3 Skill&Perks Points Available] Name: Ain Class: Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 5 (You¡¯ll be able to carry more loot, and probably handle heavier weapons, and life baggage) Agility: 20 (You want to be Usain Bolt? You got that, girl) Vitality: 50 (Your skin will be as tough as steel) Aptitude: 15 (Maybe, just maybe, you can summon Monster Energy Drink) ¡°Hmmm, loot, eh?¡± I muttered, eyeing the equipment scattered around the fallen husks. They had four assault rifles, a handful of pistols, and all kinds of other potentially valuable gear. But with only 25 kg of carry weight and 15 of it already used up, I¡¯d have to make some sacrifices. Or¡­ maybe not. I decided to put ten of my status points into Strength. The moment I confirmed the points, I felt a strange surge course through me, like my body suddenly became lighter, and stronger. I opened my inventory, and sure enough, my carry capacity had shot up to a whopping 75 kg. Ten status points for a threefold increase in carry weight? I thought, half-amused. It felt a bit like cheating, but hey¡ªif the game was handing out bonuses, I wasn¡¯t going to complain. I still had 14 points left. Maybe I should put it on aptitude so I could use my healing magic way often. Even healing up my health to the full amount took almost all of my psionic energy. With that, I got my full status points. Name: Ain Class: Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 15 Agility: 20 Vitality: 50 Aptitude: 29 (What, do you expect a snarky comment?) [Skills] [Perks] [3 Skill&Perk Points Available] Curious, I pressed the Skills menu. A list of abilities popped up, most of them focused on healing, but a few race-specific options caught my eye: Each skill cost one skill point, and I had the option to upgrade existing skills with the same points. However, since skill points were limited and these choices seemed valuable, I switched over to the Perk menu to explore more options. The perk menu looked different, showing passive skills instead of active ones. After scrolling a bit, I started to get a feel for it. Skills would be my go-to for abilities I could activate in battle, while Perks were more like background bonuses. Each perk had its own appeal, but I decided to go with a strategic mix. First, I upgraded [Healing Hands] to boost my core healing ability, making it stronger and potentially more efficient for extended battles. Then, I picked up [Dark Psionic Imbuing]. If it added some kind of dark energy or damage boost, it could come in handy against tougher enemies. Lastly, I unlocked [Potion/Stim Brewing]. Crafting my own potions or stims would probably give me more money than simply just being a wandering healer, right? I mean, I could be healing people and peddling drugs at the same time. It would be not so bad, wouldn¡¯t it? Then, the full description of the skills appeared after I unlocked them all. With my skill choices made, I closed the menu and turned my attention to looting the husks. To my surprise, they had an inventory interface¡ªno need for the awkward process of patting down corpses. All I had to do was touch their bodies, and a display popped up, showing what each husk was carrying. A mix of items appeared: ammo, various weapons, and a few scattered personal effects. There were definitely some odd bits mixed in¡ªthings you wouldn¡¯t usually expect to see on anyone carrying heavy firepower. But these corrupted had once been ordinary people, after all, so I wasn¡¯t entirely shocked. I grabbed anything useful or valuable, storing it in my expanded inventory space. [Inventory - 50/75 kg] [4,100 UC] [Weapons][Vehicles][Armor/Equipment] Alright, time to head back to the depot and sell all of these weapons, loot, and other things. Chapter 6: Selling The AKs, ADARs, M4s, and Other Things Wilhelm nodded vigorously as I unloaded all the loot from my inventory, clearly impressed¡ªand maybe a bit surprised¡ªthat I¡¯d returned from the mission virtually unscathed. He stood there, one hand on his distinctive handlebar mustache, appraising each item with a satisfied gleam in his eye. ¡°Not bad,¡± he said with approval. ¡°Here¡¯s what I can offer: 1,600 UC for the M4A1, 1,000 UC for the UMP-9, 700 UC for the ADAR, and 600 UC for the three 1911s. I¡¯ll take the three IFAKs off you for 150 UC. As for the laptops... I¡¯d recommend talking to Eleanor; she¡¯s likely to give you a better price. I can offer you 1,600 UC for all four, and only 20 UC for the flash drives. How does that sound?¡± I did a quick mental tally¡ª4,050 UC for this haul. Combined with what I already had, I¡¯d be sitting at 8,150 UC in my account. Not bad at all. ¡°Sounds good, Wilhelm,¡± I replied, feeling a sense of accomplishment as I finalized the deal. ¡°Alright, take the laptop to Eleanor, I think she might want to tinker with it for a day or two, probably brute-forcing the data for the guild. Anything else I could help you with, young angel?¡± ¡°Thanks, Wilhelm,¡± I said. I looked around the depot, seeing many weapon attachments for decorating my rifle, from the 100-round drum magazine for my G36, a multiple-zoom sight, supressor, and many other things I could probably use. The iron sight was decent, the Germans didn¡¯t really lie when they said their iron sight was not bad, but to be honest, I could have a way easier time with a better sight. I was forced to face the husk in close-range, but if I could engage those people from a longer distance, that would be better. ¡°Wondering about something?¡± Wilhelm asked, clearly reading the curiosity on my face. ¡°Yeah, actually. Do you have a sight I could attach to my rifle?¡± I replied, glancing at my G36, thinking a bit of precision might make all the difference. ¡°I do, indeed,¡± he said with a nod, already rummaging through a storage crate behind the counter. ¡°Might I recommend an Elcan sight?¡± He held up the optic, admiring it with a grin. ¡°We¡¯ve got a surplus of these beauties¡ªmost folks these days get too eager and go straight for wallhack-esque thermals.¡± ¡°Oh, how much is this one?¡± I observed the sight. [Elcan Spectre 1-4x Sight] ¡°For you, I¡¯ll give it for 800 UC,¡± Wilhelm said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°How about that?¡± ¡°Can you make it a bit cheaper?¡± I pressed, giving him a hopeful look. ¡°Girl, that sight usually goes for 1,200 UC. 800 UC is already a steal,¡± Wilhelm insisted, his tone convincing. ¡°Fine,¡± I agreed, handing over the credits. My gaze drifted over to an SR-25 hanging on the wall of the depot, its sleek frame promising the kind of long-range power I was craving. Chambered in 7.62x51 NATO, it was built to punch through armor and drop targets from a serious distance. Just the thing I needed. Wilhelm noticed my interest, raising an eyebrow with a hint of a smirk. ¡°Are you seriously eyeing the SR-25, madam?¡± he asked, crossing his arms. ¡°Ish, I expected something a bit more¡­ creative from you. That¡¯s the go-to for most, but you seem like someone who¡¯d want a bit more flair.¡± Wilhelm gave a knowing nod, tapping his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Look, based on that G36 of yours, I¡¯d wager you¡¯d be happier with something that¡¯ll give you a guaranteed one-shot, one-kill. You¡¯d probably use it for headshots anyway, right?¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯m open to suggestions. What would you recommend?¡± I asked, curious. He grinned like he¡¯d been waiting for this. ¡°Hmmm¡­ how about a Barrett MRAD? It¡¯s not quite as pricey as its bigger brother, but it¡¯s got everything you need to drop something armored with a single shot. Precision, power, and perfect for a marksman who knows what they¡¯re doing.¡± I raised an eyebrow, considering it. ¡°A Barrett MRAD, huh? Alright, Wilhelm, I¡¯m listening.¡± Wilhelm placed the Barrett MRAD onto the counter, the rifle¡¯s long, sleek barrel stretching far beyond the length of my compact G36. It was almost comically large against my own frame. The rifle already had a scope attached, with a neatly engraved inscription revealing its power: 6-20x magnification. ¡°Here she is,¡± Wilhelm said, clearly enjoying my reaction. ¡°A bit longer than what you¡¯re used to, but she¡¯ll reach anything you need to hit¡ªand then some.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the caliber?¡± I asked, trying to heft the rifle. It was noticeably heavier than the G36, almost unwieldy in comparison.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°.338 Norma Magnum, girl,¡± Wilhelm replied, a hint of pride in his voice. ¡°Unless you¡¯re planning to tangle with armored vehicles or a drake, this beauty should handle anything you need. Even with basic FMJ rounds, it¡¯ll pierce standard body armor¡ªand if you aim for the head, well, let¡¯s just say you won¡¯t need a second shot.¡± I picked up the rifle, feeling its full weight as I steadied myself. The thing was massive, more than half my height¡ªpractically a cannon compared to my G36. I wasn¡¯t exaggerating when I thought it was huge. If I carry it on my back, I look like a small child. ¡°How much is this?¡± I asked. ¡°For you, 4,000 UC, yes, it¡¯s expensive, but it¡¯s including the insurance for it, so if you die, the weapon won¡¯t be lost, what do you say?¡± He asked. ¡°Deal,¡± I smiled. ¡°Good choice,¡± he said, clearly pleased with the transaction. ¡°You take care of this one, and it¡¯ll take care of you. And if, well, you find yourself on the wrong side of a firefight, rest easy knowing the insurance has you covered.¡± I carefully slung the massive Barrett MRAD over my shoulder, adjusting the strap until the weight felt balanced enough. With the rifle on my back, I probably looked a bit ridiculous, like some kind of heavily armed child, but the power this thing held more than made up for the awkwardness. Wilhelm also gave me sixty rounds and two magazines as a bonus, and to be honest, it was nice. Why Wilhelm was so nice? Was it because I complimented his mustache? It did look nice. "Need anything else, young angel?" Wilhelm asked, his tone friendly, maybe even a bit fatherly. ¡°I¡¯m good, thank you so much, Wilhelm.¡± Now, to walk back to the guild office. I still needed to get some jobs with higher rewards, especially with my rather¡­ consumptive lifestyle. But hey, I¡¯m happy, so that was good. Eleanor wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled when she caught sight of the massive rifle slung over my shoulder. As I walked up to the counter, she let out a loud, dramatic sigh, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden tabletop. "Let me guess," she said, barely concealing her annoyance with the rifle, "Wilhelm talked you into buying some ridiculously expensive, overkill hardware." Her eyes lingered on the rifle with a look that said she¡¯d seen this a thousand times before. ¡°Well, whatever," she shrugged, giving up on the scolding as quickly as she¡¯d started. "I suppose it¡¯ll make your job easier. Just¡­ try not to attract too much attention with it. As for the laptops and flashdisks on your hands¡­ give it to me.¡± ¡°Noted,¡± I replied, trying to stifle a grin. Eleanor just rolled her eyes and nodded toward the quest terminal. ¡°Feel free to browse,¡± she said, returning her attention to her work. It seemed she had resigned herself to the fact that I¡¯d be walking around like a miniature artillery unit. I approached the quest terminal, and Eleanor hadn¡¯t been exaggerating¡ªmy new firepower had unlocked a whole new tier of missions. The interface displayed a wider variety of jobs, many with a distinct military edge that I hadn¡¯t seen before. [Take Down a SAM Site: 20,000 UC] [Kill Four High-Level Husks: 40,000 UC] [Deliver Medical Supplies for 25th Assault Regiment: 10,000 UC] [Provide Medical Support for Task Force 404: 80,000 UC] [Exterminate 20 Husks: 15,000 UC] [Kill 40 Slimes: 2,000 UC] [Retrieve Black Box from Downed Aircraft: 12,000 UC] I then turned my head toward Eleanor. ¡°Your combat power has increased, I made harder mission available for you, don¡¯t sweat it, it¡¯s still peanuts in my eyes,¡± Eleanor said, a little bit of smugness on her tone, still, even the small increase almost increased my reward by ten times, it made sense if Eleanor could afford me. I then asked, ¡°Who¡¯s Task Force 404?¡± ¡°Ah, that task force? They¡¯re a task force from the mainland Federation, and I think they¡¯re tasked with dealing with husks. However, with your lack of vehicle, I think you¡¯ll be better for delivering the supplies for 1st Regiment, then, you do some odd jobs for them,¡± she added. ¡°Besides, that Task Force usually took a job that would kill you in seconds.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± ¡°I suggest you help the 1st Regiment; you¡¯ll get a taste of being a contractor, and so on and so forth,¡± Eleanor said. [Deliver Medical Supplies for 25th Assault Regiment: 0/1] A drawer beneath the terminal suddenly clicked open, revealing a key resting inside. I picked it up, immediately realizing it was for a vehicle¡ªlikely a big truck loaded with the medical supplies I was tasked with delivering. It seemed my role for this mission was more ¡°driver¡± than ¡°sharpshooter,¡± but I could work with that. ¡°Alright, let me get the truck ready for you,¡± the goblin receptionist said, pulling a sleek tablet from under the desk. With a few quick taps, a low rumble echoed through the building as machinery whirred to life. A moment later, a hidden platform lifted a massive truck from the underground bunker. The vehicle came into view, its flatbed loaded with palletized medical cargo securely strapped down. It was a 10x10 Oshkosh tactical vehicle, no questions asked. ¡°There you go,¡± she said with a nod. ¡°Try not to scratch it, alright? That thing¡¯s worth more than your life. Follow the route on your map. You¡¯ll find several escorts from the 25th Regiment along the way.¡± Am I getting reincarnated into Mudrunner? Walking out of the guild office, I made my way to the towering 10x10 truck, its massive size almost comical compared to my own frame. The vehicle loomed over me like a steel fortress on wheels, and it took a bit of effort just to climb the staircase leading to the cockpit. Once inside, I took a moment to familiarize myself with the controls after putting my rifle in the driver¡¯s seat. Thankfully, the transmission was automatic, a small mercy that made my life significantly easier. No need to wrestle with complicated gear shifts in a beast like this. I¡¯d heard rumors that manual transmissions on these beasts had something ridiculous, like 14 gears. Fourteen! I slid the ignition key into place and gave it a turn. The engine¡ªa colossal beast of an engine, probably measured in shitton-liters¡ªroared to life with a deep, guttural rumble that shook the entire cockpit. ¡°Right, let¡¯s take this thing out for a spin.¡± I pressed my foot down on the gas pedal, and the massive truck began to lumber forward, its sheer size making every movement feel like I was commanding a small building on wheels. I gripped the enormous steering wheel, rotating it carefully to guide the truck toward the village¡¯s gate. It was¡­ odd, to say the least. Here I was, driving a 10x10 cargo truck loaded with medical supplies, when my usual ride was a Prius. Well, at least I won¡¯t have to worry about parallel parking this thing anytime soon. Chapter 7: Driving Through The Region The drive wasn¡¯t going as smoothly as I¡¯d hoped, but honestly, it was about what I expected. The cargo pallets strapped tightly to the back didn¡¯t budge, which was reassuring, and the massive tires gripped the road well¡ªprobably because I hadn¡¯t hit any real off-road terrain yet. Still, the sheer size of the truck made handling... challenging, to put it mildly. I ended up drifting off the road more than twice, though the transition was so smooth I barely felt it. If it weren¡¯t for the edge markers vanishing from sight, I might not have even realized the truck had left the pavement. The vehicle¡¯s design practically shrugged off uneven surfaces, its suspension swallowing bumps and dips like they didn¡¯t exist. Great for the cargo, I thought. It¡¯s not so great for my sense of direction. Occasionally, I passed by soldiers on the road, stationed in their armored vehicles. Some of the vehicles had large turrets mounted on top, while others sported .50 caliber machine guns. It dawned on me that these vehicles were likely my main form of escort, even if none of them were actively following me from behind. Their presence ahead and along the road gave me some reassurance that the route was at least somewhat secure. The big truck had a hard time detecting the small slimes scuttling across the concrete road, and as a result, I found myself racking up accidental experience points every now and then. Each bump under the massive tires earned me a measly ten EXP¡ªsometimes twenty if I happened to squash a cluster. It wasn¡¯t much, but hey, free EXP was free EXP. The GPS map on the dashboard was a lifesaver, guiding me across the seemingly endless expanse of grassland. True to its name, the grassland was just that¡ªgrass, stretching out as far as the eye could see. An occasional tree broke up the view, but the loud, relentless rumble of the diesel engine at my back drowned out everything else. After two hours of driving, the stretched-out concrete road gave way to a paved dirt road. I glanced at the fuel gauge out of curiosity, barely seeing any movement. Then again, with a tank holding hundreds of liters, it made sense that the needle wasn¡¯t budging much. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but feel reassured by the sight of multiple jerry cans of diesel strapped to the roof rack. Guess whoever prepared this truck knew exactly how long these trips could get, I thought, giving the fuel gauge another glance before turning my attention back to the road. The dirt road didn¡¯t last long before I felt the tires hitting something softer. The truck crawled forward without a care, but the ride shifted dramatically as the once bumpy road turned slippery and muddy. The massive tires churned through the muck effortlessly, the truck¡¯s weight and design keeping it from sinking too deep. Great, I thought, gripping the wheel tighter as the mud splattered against the truck¡¯s sides. Guess we¡¯re really playing Mudrunner now. The muddy road eventually gave way to the edge of a small forest. Two armored vehicles were already waiting for me, with eight soldiers standing nearby. One of them stepped forward, signaling for me to stop the truck. I brought it to a halt, the engine idling loudly as he gestured for me to wait. Moments later, the lead vehicle¡ªa JLTV equipped with an M2 remote turret¡ªmoved into position at the front. It rumbled forward into the forest, clearing the path ahead, and I followed closely behind in the truck. Another armored vehicle, likely meant to ensure the cargo¡¯s safety, pulled in behind me. We didn¡¯t speak, not a single word was exchanged between me and the soldiers. The only sound was the rumble of engines and the squelch of tires against the muddy forest trail. As we moved deeper into the woods, my eyes caught a detail on their uniforms¡ªa flag of white, blue, and red. It might¡¯ve been the Federation¡¯s flag. Who exactly is the Federation, anyway? I wondered. They seemed to supply a lot of resources, but their presence always felt¡­ distant, almost impersonal. I didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it before the radio in the truck cracked to life. ¡°Hey, contractor, are you there? Over?¡± a gruff voice came through. I fumbled with the mic for a moment before responding. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here. Over?¡± I wasn¡¯t entirely sure how I was supposed to reply using proper radio etiquette. ¡°Alright,¡± the voice continued, ¡°keep your truck tight to my arse. This forest is crawling with corrupted inhabitants.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ ok?¡± I replied, a bit unsure how else to answer. The voice chuckled, lightening the tension. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, girl. I know you¡¯re nervous, but we¡¯ve guarded plenty of newbies like you before. Just stay close, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Comforting, I guess? The lead vehicle¡¯s turret rotated steadily, its mounted thermal camera scanning the treeline with methodical precision. No bullets were flying, which I took as a good sign, but the silence felt heavy. The road was just wide enough for two vehicles side-by-side, but that was it. Its condition left much to be desired¡ªbarely maintained, with a slippery layer of mud that made anything without proper mud tires an absolute nightmare to navigate. The truck¡¯s massive wheels handled it well, but I could see how a regular vehicle would be hopelessly out of its depth. Note to self: If I¡¯m buying a vehicle in the future, it better be a fucking Hilux. The trees closed in above us, their dense branches forming a natural canopy that filtered the faint light into scattered patches on the muddy road. The road branched off in several directions as we moved deeper, each path vanishing into the shadows between the trees. I kept my focus on the lead vehicle, sticking close behind it and trusting their knowledge of the terrain.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. The lead vehicle finally arrived at a military outpost, its perimeter fortified with Hesco barriers and spirals of barbed wire. The defensive setup was clearly designed to deter and withstand any potential assault. It had the unmistakable look of a military outpost, despite being located in the middle of a forest requiring 10x10 truck driving for four hours in total. Tents of varying sizes were scattered across the area, housing everything from command centers to sleeping quarters. I could see the soldiers patrolling and running, alongside several light tactical vehicles parked inside the outpost. ¡°Park the truck near that white tent, girl, then it¡¯ll be done,¡± the radio said to me. I carefully parked the truck near a large white tent that looked like a medical station¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what I thought at first. But as I stepped out of the truck with my rifles and got a better look inside, it was clear this wasn¡¯t a typical medical tent. Instead of wounded soldiers lying on cots, I saw lifeless bodies laid out on tables, their pale and torn forms being tended to by a team of necromancers. The faint hum of psionic energy filled the air as the necromancers worked to heal the shredded tissue and mend broken bones. ¡°Did they do that to my body?¡± I asked myself that question. [Deliver Medical Supplies for 25th Assault Regiment: 1/1] [Quest Complete: +10,000 UC, +1,500 Exp] [Level Up: 3 ¡ú 5] [16 Status Points Available] [2 Skill & Perks Points Available] I decided to put off leveling up for the moment and approached the medical tent, curiosity tugging at me. Strangely, the soldiers guarding the entrance didn¡¯t stop me. Maybe they recognized my healer class and assumed I was here to help, or perhaps they were just too busy to care. Either way, I wasn¡¯t about to question it. The healers were working overtime, frantically mending the dead bodies laid out on crude medical tables. They stitched and patched up wounds either with medical supplies or with their healing spells. I barely had time to take it all in before a voice barked at me. ¡°Don¡¯t just fucking stand around, you stupid! Help us!¡± a healer snapped. [Clara - Assault Healer - Level 35] Caught off guard by the rudeness, I hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. ¡°Alright, what do you need?¡± I asked, trying not to let their tone get to me. ¡°Start stabilizing that one over there!¡± she shouted, pointing to a torn-up body that looked more like a jigsaw puzzle than a human, with legs inside of a cool box and arms barely stitched. ¡°Stabilizing???¡± ¡°Yes, stabilizing! For fuck¡¯s sake, is this your first time?¡± the healer shouted again. Not wanting to seem completely useless, I acted as though I understood what they meant. I approached the table and placed my hand on what I assumed was a stitched-up arm¡ªor at least, what was meant to be an arm. It was barely recognizable, resembling a hastily assembled lump of human meat. The stitching was crude, holding the mangled flesh together in a creepy way. Swallowing my doubt, I applied my healing spell to the arm. A faint glow emanated from my hand as the spell took effect. To my surprise¡ªand slight horror¡ªthe skin began to wrap itself around the injury site. The jagged edges smoothed out, muscles realigned, and the severed hand slowly reshaped into something resembling a regular human hand. I swear, this world has things way too easy. Bullet wounds that healed up just by applying your hand on top of it? Are you really serious? So, war doesn¡¯t have any consequences or what? I swear, treating this world like a game made much more sense. ¡°The fuck what???¡± I couldn¡¯t help but react. As I finished mending the grotesque arm, another healer approached me. This one stood out¡ªtall, with a calm demeanor and a pair of glasses perched on his nose. A stethoscope hung loosely around his neck. Without a word, he handed me a metallic tray filled with tools: sutures, bandages, bottles of Betadine, scalpels, and other essentials. A glowing nameplate above his head caught my eye: [David - Demonic Necromancer - Level 75] ¡°Sorry about her,¡± he said with a small smile, nodding in the direction of the head nurse. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ well, tense. Happens when you¡¯ve been at this for too long.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, taking the tray and pulling out a scalpel. ¡°External contractors, huh? Where are you from, Ludmilla?¡± He asked. ¡°How do you know?¡± I asked. ¡°Simple,¡± David said with a small smirk, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. ¡°You show up here with a truck, waltz into this tent, and our head nurse¡ªbless her fiery temper¡ªreads your healer class. With the sheer force of her wrath, she somehow manages to convince you to help her.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but let out a small chuckle at his dry humor. ¡°Yeah, convincing is one way to put it. More like yelling me into submission.¡± David chuckled, a faint smile still on his face. ¡°She has her ways. Trust me, you¡¯re not the first. Won¡¯t be the last, either.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I shrugged, not giving it much thought. ¡°Where are you from?¡± David asked, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity. ¡°Ludmilla,¡± I replied, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I told you before, no?¡± ¡°No,¡± he clarified, leaning slightly closer. ¡°I mean, whereas in your past life. You¡¯re definitely someone who¡¯s used to holding scalpels and blades¡ªway more than the average healer class. And don¡¯t even try to lie,¡± he added, his glasses catching a faint glow, ¡°your soul practically screams that you¡¯re reincarnated.¡± Motherfucker, what? My brain stalled for a moment, trying to process the absurdity of what he¡¯d just said. How the hell does he know that? I thought, staring at him with a mix of confusion and suspicion. ¡°You must be wondering, Who¡¯s this stranger, why does he know so much, yada yada yada." David¡¯s smile widened as he gestured casually. "Well, to clear the air¡ªI¡¯m a necromancer, Ain, and I¡¯m from Earth, too.¡± ¡°Same as you are,¡± I replied, narrowing my eyes slightly. ¡°Oh¡­ Earth,¡± he said, tilting his head slightly in thought. ¡°Well, enjoy your stay here, then,¡± David continued with an easy grin. ¡°You can¡¯t die, you¡¯re associated with being a contractor, so... I¡¯d say it¡¯s worth going YOLO every now and then if you catch my drift.¡± I blinked at him, still processing the fact that he casually dropped not only his knowledge of my reincarnation but also his strange brand of advice. ¡°YOLO, huh?¡± I muttered, unsure if he was joking or completely serious. ¡°Exactly,¡± he said, the smile never faltering. ¡°When death is a revolving door, you might as well make the most of it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± I replied, unsure if his advice was comforting or unsettling. ¡°And when you¡¯re bored of all the excitement,¡± David added with a knowing smirk, ¡°feel free to settle into the boring, mundane jobs. Like me.¡± He gave a small chuckle, then turned, pushing his cart toward a cluster of other healers who were busily treating more patients. I watched him go, his calm demeanor a strange contrast to the chaos around him. With the supplies in my hands and the image of the strange necromancer lingering in my thoughts, I turned back to the stitched-up body in front of me. Chapter 8: Wandering Healers? Name: Ain Class: Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 15 Agility: 20 Vitality: 50 Aptitude: 45 I finished distributing my status points, dumping them all into Aptitude, and upgrading my healing hands, one more time. After draining most of my psionic energy into stitching and reconnecting the mangled soldiers back together, it felt like the logical choice. I wasn¡¯t entirely sure what I was doing¡ªhealing magic and necromancy were clearly out of my depth¡ªbut the results spoke for themselves. The four soldiers I worked on were revived without any serious complications, their bodies restored to full function as if nothing had happened. It was a strange phenomenon, something that felt more like science fiction than fantasy. The seamless way their wounds healed and their forms stabilized left me both baffled and slightly proud. However, what made me truly happy was the 10,000 UC payout and the ice cream that I held in my hand that I bought for merely 2 UC while sitting down on a bench overlooking the command center. What was strange was the same quest terminal outside of the command center itself, it was the same terminal as the one in the guild. This place was located in the middle of the base, crowded with contractors and soldiers, way more crowded than Ludmilla, but that was expected, this was a military base, after all. ¡°Hey there, Ain,¡± A person greeted me, then suddenly, sat right next to me. It was David. ¡°I thought you were still busy operating,¡± I asked. ¡°It¡¯s all done now, I¡¯m just here to speak with the pretty lady sitting down on the chair. And here, considering you¡¯re from Earth, you might want this,¡± David said, handing me down a box. I opened the box, and my eyes widened at the contents. Inside were two items that immediately caught my attention: a sleek, rugged watch and what appeared to be a phone¡ªan iPhone, to be exact. But that wasn¡¯t all. Beneath them lay a pair of quad-lens night-vision goggles and a laser sight for my rifle. The whole kit screamed high-end military tech, and it was all¡­ mine? What kind of gift was this? It felt like too much all at once. ¡°Figured you might need a proper starter kit,¡± David said casually, as if handing over several thousand dollars¡¯ worth of gear was just something he did every day. ¡°Thanks¡­ but I¡¯ve got questions,¡± I said, holding up the goggles with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Shoot.¡± ¡°These tools¡­ they¡¯re expensive, aren¡¯t they?¡± I asked, gesturing at the items. The iPhone alone had to be worth at least $2,000, especially considering this version looked like it could survive a warzone. And the night-vision goggles? These weren¡¯t the standard binocular ones you¡¯d see in movies¡ªthis was a quad-lens setup, the kind reserved for elite special forces. David smiled knowingly. ¡°Expensive? Sure, if you¡¯re thinking Earth prices. But here? It¡¯s just gear. Tools for the trade. Consider it an investment. Besides, this is not even 1% of my money.¡± ¡°How much money do you even have?¡± I asked, narrowing my eyes, the disbelief clear in my tone. ¡°Hmmm, enough,¡± David replied with a casual shrug like it wasn¡¯t worth discussing. ¡°How much?¡± I pressed. He tilted his head slightly, his smile turning a bit sly. ¡°Billions. Is that enough for you?¡± ¡°Bi... billions?¡± I stammered, nearly dropping the night-vision goggles. ¡°Yeah, a mix of guild work, heists, selling stuff, and the list goes on,¡± David said with a sly smile, clearly enjoying my reaction. He leaned against the bench casually, the kind of posture only someone ridiculously wealthy could pull off. ¡°You must be wondering how I made that kind of money, huh? Well, this is a multi-realm for a reason. You can earn from other realms too.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I blinked, completely dumbfounded. He chuckled at my confusion, clearly used to explaining this to rookies. ¡°Think about it¡ªyou can go to a more¡­ GTA-esque world, or Tarkov, Payday, Battlefield, you name it. The possibilities are endless. This world? It¡¯s one of the more beginner-friendly ones. PVP is completely disabled here, so it¡¯s a safe zone for newbies like you.¡± I stared at him, trying to wrap my head around the idea. ¡°So¡­ you¡¯re saying you can just¡­ jump between worlds, do stuff, and make money?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± he replied, the smirk never leaving his face. ¡°One moment, you¡¯re robbing a bank while shooting waves of FBI SWATs. The next, you¡¯re piloting a mech in as a mercenary. If you¡¯ve got the skill and the guts, the potential for profit is infinite.¡± ¡°Woah¡­¡± I breathed, completely speechless. I wouldn¡¯t lie¡ªthis whole thing was blowing my mind.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. David noticed my reaction and gave a nonchalant shrug. ¡°Besides, that stuff? It¡¯s cheap here. The GPNVG-18 isn¡¯t all that expensive in this world. It¡¯s basically considered budget gear.¡± ¡°Budget?¡± I repeated, incredulous. ¡°You¡¯re calling this budget?¡± He nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. ¡°Yup. They¡¯ve got better stuff now¡ªthermal-quadrant hybrids, AI-assisted vision systems, psionic-based detection, you name it. The GPNVG-18 is like buying an entry-level sedan. Practical, reliable, but nothing flashy.¡± I shook my head, still trying to process how night-vision goggles worth a small fortune on Earth were considered entry-level here. ¡°This world is insane.¡± David smirked, the corner of his lips curling into an amused grin. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it. Nice to see other people around here, though¡ªI get tired of the locals in this world. They¡¯re¡­ a bit dull, to say the least.¡± He adjusted his glasses and continued, ¡°Anyway, before you get too excited, you¡¯ll need to hit level 10 first. Think of this world as a¡­ tutorial.¡± ¡°A tutorial?¡± I echoed, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You mean everything here is just beginner-level?¡± ¡°Pretty much,¡± he replied, leaning casually on his cart. ¡°It¡¯s designed to teach you the ropes, help you figure out how things work, and, more importantly, keep you alive while you do it. Once you hit level 10, though? You¡¯ll get access to other realms. That¡¯s where things start to get interesting.¡± I nodded slowly, still processing everything David had said. So this entire world is just the warm-up? The thought was surreal, but it made sense in a weird way. The missions, the gear, the relatively safe environment¡ªit all clicked as a way to ease people like me into the insanity of multi-realm existence. Still, the pay here wasn¡¯t bad at all. As far as I was concerned, if this ¡°tutorial¡± world could help me climb toward those billion-dollar numbers David casually flaunted, I was all in. I wasn¡¯t going to be satisfied with scraping by. Not now. Not after hearing what was out there. ¡°Anyway,¡± David began, his tone casual yet thoughtful, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you did in your past life, but if you¡¯re interested, why don¡¯t you try becoming a wandering healer?¡± ¡°A what?¡± I asked, tilting my head in confusion. He adjusted his glasses and smirked. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re a healer¡ªa Guardian Healer at that. You should have more than enough defense to tank damage while rescuing people in high-intensity combat situations, right? With your skillset, you could make a real difference. Besides, a healer is in quite a high demand, even in other realms.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± I said, noncommittal but intrigued. David nodded knowingly. ¡°If you¡¯re interested, the terminal should have quests for you. Something along the lines of rescue missions or escort duties. Good pay, decent experience.¡± He glanced at the watch on his wrist and sighed. ¡°Break time¡¯s over. I need to get back to work.¡± ¡°Have a nice day, David,¡± I said with a small smile as he turned to leave. ¡°You too, Ain,¡± he replied over his shoulder before heading back toward the other healers. As I stood there, I couldn¡¯t help but consider his words. A wandering healer, huh? Sounds dangerous, but¡­ it could be worth it. I finished up my ice cream and I headed to the terminal again for quest. The daylight was still high up in the sky, and it was still 14:30, and with the night-vision goggles, I might be able to take quests at night time. Walking to the quest terminal located next to the command building, I browsed through the quest menu, and the quest list became way longer and the reward became much bigger, and I didn¡¯t doubt that the stakes were significantly higher too. [Provide Medical Support for Task Force 404: 80,000 UC] [Rescue Bravo Platoon From Husks: 50,000 UC] [Retrieve an Artefact From The Temple: 120,000 UC] [Looking For Temporary Penis Enlargement Potion: 60,000 UC] [Recover a Secret Stash of ¡®Special¡¯ Coffee Shipment: 70,000 UC] [Provide Medical Support and Defend Southern Checkpoint: 120,000 UC] [Retrieve Lost Medical Supplies Near Southern Checkpoint: 80,000 UC] The quests had taken a turn for the blatantly odd. The temporary penis enlargement potion? Sure, why not? And the "special coffee shipment"? Yeah, there was no doubt it would do something¡­ special when consumed. The absurdity of the jobs felt like either a poorly written comedy or a test of how far I¡¯d go for UC. [Provide Medical Support and Defend Southern Checkpoint: 0/1] [Retrieve Lost Medical Supplies Near Southern Checkpoint: 0/1] I sighed and closed the quest menu for now. The southern checkpoint mission seemed practical enough, but before committing, I decided to check out the nearest depot. If I was going to navigate this forest again, I¡¯d need something faster and more reliable than trudging through the mud on foot. Wilhelm did mention mechs before¡­ I thought, intrigued. Maybe the depot here had vehicles¡ªor at the very least, something to make traversing this godforsaken forest less of a slog. With that in mind, I scanned the area and made my way toward the depot. The depot turned out to be a modest-looking tent¡ªsmall and unassuming¡ªbut appearances could be deceiving. Inside, instead of attendants, there were two sleek terminals mounted on what looked like package lockers. It gave off the vibe of a high-tech vending machine, but for... what exactly? Weapons? Vehicles? Supplies? I wasn¡¯t sure yet. I approached one of the terminals, curiosity leading the way. The interface blinked to life as I stood in front of it. [Vehicle] [Weapons] [Ammo] [Aid Items] [Search: _______] I tapped the [Search] bar and typed in ¡°Hilux,¡± hoping for something rugged enough to handle the mud and forest trails. A list appeared almost instantly, categorized by manufacturing year. Strangely, the search spanned a timeline from the 1990s all the way to the 2050s. Wait, 2050s? How the hell do vehicles from the future even end up here? I thought, momentarily baffled. Then again, this was a multi-realm world, so I shouldn¡¯t have been surprised. I died in 2025¡­ Guess I¡¯ve got some catching up to do. I sorted the results by price, and sure enough, the cheapest models were from the 1990s. I scrolled through the list, wondering just how much UC I¡¯d need to drop for one of these beauties. It was¡­ dirt-cheap, 2,000 UC for the most basic 4WD model. I purchased the vehicle, and moments later, the car key was dispensed through a small slot in the locker beneath the terminal. Almost immediately, a notification popped up in the top-right corner of my vision: [Your Car Has Been Added to Your Garage] [You Can Summon Your Vehicle Using Your Inventory Menu] ¡°Neat,¡± I thought to myself. [Opening Vehicle Customization Menu] [At an outpost, base, or checkpoint, you have the freedom to fully customize your vehicle, mech, or tank. You can equip it with a remote weapon station, enhanced armor, or basic upgrades like a quad-turbo system, as long as you have enough UC to cover the cost.] [1992 4x4 Hilux] I exited the vehicle menu and stepped outside, and sure enough, there it was¡ªparked right in front of me. A waypoint to the southern checkpoint had already appeared in my peripheral vision, and to my relief, the car was equipped with a GPS mounted on its dashboard. I climbed into the vehicle, turned the key, and the engine roared to life smoothly. I put my MRAD and G36 on the passenger¡¯s seat and drove off the military outpost. Chapter 9: Southern Checkpoint The ride through the forest was uneventful. I caught glimpses of corrupted creatures in the form of husks, but those I spotted were either too far away or left behind as I sped past in the vehicle, too fast for them to even register my presence. That was about the great thing about this forest anyway. Other than that, it was the truest definition of boredom and boredness. From David''s description, I had braced myself for the possibility of taking a bullet or two. However, that couldn¡¯t have been farther from the truth. Perhaps because this was a starter area, the likelihood of encountering hostiles was minimal from the outset. Alright, just 900 meters to go. The 4x4 handled the muddy terrain with ease, thanks to its raw power and the off-road wheels gripping and tearing through the ground effortlessly. Eventually, I reached the military checkpoint. It was far from boring, as the first clang hit the cabin of my pickup truck. The checkpoint stood at the forest''s edge, a chaotic assembly of Hesco barriers and military vehicles forming a blockade against whatever lay within. There was also the presence of burning military vehicles, suggesting the armaments that the husks carried. Gunshots blazed from every direction as the military took cover behind Hesco barriers and sandbags. A number of injured soldiers were holding back their pain, strangely¡ªor perhaps not so strangely¡ªconsidering that the pain I felt was nothing more than a series of faint tickles by comparison. I already knew what was going on, husks. ¡°What the fuck are you doing? Get into the cover! We¡¯re about to be overrun!¡± A soldier shouted. I maneuvered my car behind one of the barriers, grabbed my rifle, and dashed toward the soldier. Despite the chaos, he managed to keep his cool, firing steadily at the incoming husks emerging from the grassland. They moved like zombies¡ªzombies that could shoot back, that is. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but I think your timing is impeccable,¡± the soldier replied, reloading his 416 assault rifle before shooting back at the incoming husks. ¡°Name¡¯s Ain, I¡¯m your backup, what can I do?¡± The soldier then gave me a quick gaze. ¡°A healer, huh?¡± The soldier glanced at me briefly before returning fire. ¡°I¡¯m Oscar. Look, I don¡¯t have time to explain, but I could sure use an extra pair of hands here.¡± He gestured toward a group of injured soldiers huddled behind cover. ¡°You¡¯re a contractor, right? You sure as hell don¡¯t feel pain like we do. Can you patch them up and get them back into the fight?¡± The soldiers were hastily patched up with bandages, some still bleeding from head wounds. Bullet wounds dotted their bodies. It was clear they weren¡¯t in any condition to keep fighting effectively. Many weapon emplacements around the checkpoint had been abandoned, likely due to a lack of personnel. In fact, only three soldiers seemed to be actively holding their ground¡ªand one of them was somehow managing to fire two machine guns at once. ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡± I nodded. ¡°Awesome. Now go¡ªjust keep an eye on your¡­ health bar, should I say?¡± Oscar quipped with a faint smirk, even amidst the chaos. The checkpoint''s Hesco barriers were scattered and divided into three segments. The soldiers in the first two segments were busy tending to their wounds, some struggling to stay conscious, while the soldiers in the rear were desperately holding off the relentless assault of the husks. Gunfire and screams filled the air as the situation grew more dire. I sprinted to the injured soldiers in the middle segment, raising my hand and focusing on the spell on top of one of the soldier¡¯s wounds. A warm, radiant light emanated from my palms, enveloping them in its glow. His wound began to mend. ¡°Thanks, healer,¡± he said. He then slowly moved his hand and picked up his assault rifle to continue shooting back at the husk. "Hang in there," I shouted as I moved from one soldier to the next. As I moved between the segments, a sudden blur of motion caught my eye¡ªa husk had broken through the first line of defense. It dashed past the scattered Hesco barriers and leaped straight into my path, landing mere feet in front of me. My instincts took over. I drew my pistol in a flash and fired. The first two shots slammed into its torso, staggering it slightly, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop it. Without hesitation, I aimed higher and pulled the trigger again. The bullet landed on its head, killing it instantly. I then noticed what the husk was carrying on his back, a broken and empty RPG tube, no wonder the vehicle behind me was a burning mess. That thing would shred through its armor easily. With the distraction dealt with, I resumed healing the soldiers. Moving quickly from one to the next, I placed my hand over their wounds. As if by instinct, the magic flowed¡ªwounds closed, the bleeding stopped, and strength returned to their bodies. It was that simple. I didn¡¯t fully understand how it worked, but it didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was that each healed soldier picked up their weapon and rejoined the fight, bringing us closer to holding the line. The sight of them operating the weapon placements again was a sight that I preferred over them screaming in pain on the ground. The tide began to turn as the husks were methodically pushed back into the grassland. The soldiers fought with renewed vigor, their defensive line slowly but steadily advancing. Still, I knew it would take more than healing four soldiers to secure the checkpoint. Determined, I moved toward the first segment of the Hesco barrier, scanning for any remaining soldiers. At the front line, I spotted three soldiers, one of whom was grappling with a husk. The creature was trying to drive a crude blade into him, and the soldier was barely holding it off. Without hesitation, I raised my G36, took aim at the husk¡¯s head, and fired. The shot landed perfectly, and the husk collapsed instantly, its lifeless body falling onto the soldier. ¡°Who are you?¡± the soldier asked, still catching his breath.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°I¡¯m your backup,¡± I replied, extending a hand to help him to his feet. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, dusting himself off. ¡°A healer, huh? Are you one of those wandering ones?¡± I shrugged, a faint smirk crossing my face. ¡°Maybe.¡± A sharp whistle cut through the air, and I felt a stinging prick as a bullet grazed just past my ear. I whipped my head toward the grassland, my breath catching as I saw them¡ªan overwhelming tide of husks pouring out from the tall grass, with their rifles aimed toward us. ¡°Oh boy, that¡¯s a lot of them,¡± I commented. ¡°Handle the others, I can handle the husks,¡± the soldier added. ¡°Sure thing, boss,¡± I replied, a hint of excitement in my voice. I dashed toward the remaining two soldiers, assessing their conditions as quickly as I could. A glance at my psionic bar made my stomach sink¡ªit was dangerously low, barely enough for one more heal. Judging by how severely wounded these soldiers were, there was a good chance I¡¯d run out of psionic energy before I could finish healing even one of them. Well¡­ I could always sacrifice my own health. What could possibly go wrong? I shook off the hesitation and knelt beside the more critical soldier. Her condition was grim¡ªher abdomen was riddled with gunshot wounds, blood soaking through her uniform, and her breathing so faint it was barely audible. Shrapnel was lodged dangerously close to her vital organs, glinting under the harsh light. Honestly, it was a miracle she was still alive. ¡°Fucking husks with RPGs,¡± she rasped, her voice weak but laced with bitterness. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have stayed on the damn turret.¡± ¡°Save your strength,¡± I said, placing my hand over her wounds. As the familiar warmth of the healing spell surged through her body, I braced myself for the toll it would take. This time, the pain was... real. It hit me like a freight train, blossoming in my chest as the spell drained me. It was as though my body was actively pulling the agony from the woman¡¯s shattered form into my own. A soft heart attack¡ªthat¡¯s the only way I could describe it. Relief washed over her face, and I staggered back, clutching my chest, my heart still hammering from the strain. "You¡¯re good now," I muttered. ¡°Do you have IFAK?¡± She asked. ¡°Yeah, why?¡± I asked her back. ¡°I can handle Jacob, can you help hold on to the other husks?¡± She asked me again. I handed the woman a first-aid kit from my inventory, my hands still trembling from the lingering pain. She gave me a faint nod of thanks before crawling over to the remaining soldier. I watched as she pulled out a strange vial from her gear, injecting its glowing solution directly into the man¡¯s arm. The effects were almost immediate¡ªthe bleeding slowed, then stopped entirely. However, the man was still far from stable. His body jerked and writhed as he fought against the intense pain, his eyes fluttering open and shut. ¡°Trixanemac Sorbutal,¡± she replied through gritted teeth, her hands steady as she adjusted the man¡¯s position. ¡°Works fast but... yeah, it hurts like hell.¡± I¡¯d never heard of that medicine before, but then again, this was another world, and it seemed like anything was possible here. Shaking off my curiosity, I shifted my focus to the grassland ahead. Raising my MRAD sniper rifle, I quickly deployed its bipod on the nearest surface for stability. Machine guns and grenade launchers roared, their deafening cadence carving through the approaching horde. The ground trembled under the barrage as I scanned the field, searching for high-priority targets. Every target was fair game. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger of my bolt-action rifle. The shot thundered through the air, the recoil pressing into my shoulder as the bullet tore through the distance. It hit its mark with brutal precision, ripping a gaping hole through the husk¡¯s torso. The creature crumpled to the ground instantly, lifeless. I couldn¡¯t deny the grim satisfaction of watching the spectacle. With practiced ease, I pulled the bolt back, ejecting the spent casing with a metallic clang, and chambered the next round. My scope quickly found another target¡ªanother husk closing in with alarming speed. I pulled the trigger again, and It exploded its leg, then, a 40mm grenade landed right next to it, exploding it into multiple small pieces. ¡°Hey, healer, if you don¡¯t mind, try to target anyone holding something explosive, if you get what I mean,¡± Oscar shouted from behind. ¡°Roger that, Oscar,¡± I shouted back. My scope swept over the chaotic grassland, where the grotesque forms of the attackers surged forward. Among them, I spotted one with an RPG slung over its back. Lining up the shot, I steadied my breath and squeezed the trigger. The rifle barked, and the bullet struck true. The RPG touched the ground, and it somehow exploded, killing the husks surrounding it. ¡°Nice one, healer!¡± Oscar shouted. My scope caught another threat¡ªthis one lugging what looked like a jury-rigged satchel charge. I fired, hitting the husk square in the chest. It stumbled, dropping the explosive, and the resulting blast took out another cluster of enemies. "Keep it up, Ain!" Oscar¡¯s voice cut through the noise of the clang clang and thump thump of the weapons nearby. Suddenly, my scope locked onto a hulking figure pushing through the horde¡ªa brute-like husk wielding an enormous ballistic shield, a heavy machine gun gripped in its other hand, and clad in what looked like a bomb suit. My heart sank for a moment. A juggernaut. Just great. "Oscar! We¡¯ve got a big one!" I shouted, my voice rising above the chaos. "I see it!" he yelled back, immediately shifting his fire. "We¡¯ll cover you! Take it out before it gets too close!" Acknowledging his command, I steadied myself, my rifle trained on the monstrosity. My first shot hit the shield with a sharp ping, barely scratching its surface. Then, the brute aimed its machine gun at me, peppering my direction with bullets. Each hit of the bullet sent a small prick, but a sharp decline on my health bar, forcing me to take cover. What kind of machine gun was that? I inspected my torso, looking at my shattered armor and blood slowly gushing out. Just great. Alright, you wanna play rough? I muttered under my breath, adjusting my aim. My scope darted to its shoes, where the bulky armor left gaps at the joints. I squeezed the trigger, and the rifle kicked back as the round slammed into its exposed soft shoes. The impact staggered the brute. ¡°Oscar! Now!¡± ¡°All personnel, focus your fire on that fucking thing!¡± Oscar shouted. The soldiers rallied immediately, turning their attention to the juggernaut. A hailstorm of bullets and grenades rained down on the brute, the combined firepower finally forcing it to a standstill. The beast raised its shield, bracing against the onslaught, but the relentless barrage began to chip away at its defenses. "Keep it up! Don¡¯t let it recover!" Oscar yelled, his assault rifle spitting rounds at the juggernaut¡¯s exposed leg. Through the scope, I saw its movements grow sluggish. Eventually, the amount of fire peppered its ballistic shield, and the sheer amount of fire shredded its armor. With the armor taken care of, I then pulled the trigger and shattered the juggernaut¡¯s torso, killing it instantly. ¡°Good one, healer!¡± the soldier shouted. We held our ground, tirelessly defending the checkpoint from the relentless waves of husks. I kept my hands steady, firing bullet after bullet, magazine after magazine, ensuring no husk carrying explosives got the chance to use their weapons. Slowly but surely, the tide of battle shifted in our favor. Eventually, the onslaught ceased, and an eerie silence fell over the battlefield. The once chaotic scene was now littered with discarded equipment, shattered weapons, and piles of lifeless husks. The air was thick with the stench of smokeless powder and blood, but we had done it. It was nothing short of a miracle that the checkpoint hadn¡¯t run out of ammunition. Somehow, against all odds, we had managed to hold the line. [Provide Medical Support and Defend Southern Checkpoint: 1/1] [Quest Complete: +120,000 UC, +4,000 Exp] [Exiting Combat: +16,000 EXP] [Level Up: 5 ¡ú 10] [80 Status Points Available] [10 Skill&Perks Points Available] [Class Upgrade: Guardian Healer ¡ú Adept Guardian Healer] Ok¡­ It seems I got double the amount that I was supposed to get. Chapter 10: Guardian Healer → Adept Guardian Healer + Looting The Sea of Corpses I leveled up, and the influx of rewards and advantages was almost overwhelming. Then again, after hours of holding this checkpoint against hordes of gun-toting zombies, it wasn¡¯t exactly surprising. Still, I knew much of the credit belonged to the federal soldiers who had stood their ground alongside me. Nevertheless, it felt like the perfect time to allocate my stats. After all, boosting them would mean I could heal more people, withstand more punishment in combat, and, let¡¯s be honest, have even more fun wreaking havoc than I already was. Name: Ain Class: Adept Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 15 ¡ú 45 (Who Are You Trying To Be, Hercules?) Agility: 20 ¡ú 40 (Still Not Usain Bolt, Sorry) Vitality: 50 ¡ú 65 (Your Skin Is Soft, Yet, Strong) Aptitude: 45 ¡ú 60 (Still No Red Bull) Opening the skills menu as usual, I got some rather interesting new skills, but the old ones still existed for me to use. I also opened the perk menu, which helped me make the decision faster. The skill and perks do look interesting, after all. Skills: Perks: Should I even buy all of them? No, that would be a bad idea. Hovering over the skills and perks, I couldn¡¯t help but grin. These were overpowered, no doubt. [Purging Wave] sent out a wave that healed allies and destroyed undead¡ªa perfect balance of support and offense. [Demonic Enhancement] unlocked raw destructive power, acting as the trigger for [Fallen Angel Rage], which massively boosted my damage output in clutch moments. And then there was [Focus], a skill that slowed my perception of time, creating a slow-motion effect for pinpoint precision and faster reaction time. For now, I decided to purchase the skills and perks, leaving the decision of which to upgrade for later. With that, my leveling up was complete. ¡°Hmm, upgrading your class, eh, Ain?¡± Oscar approached, clapping his hands in slow applause. ¡°Congratulations.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± I replied, a faint smirk on my face. ¡°So, healer, where are you headed next?¡± he asked, his tone curious but weary from the battle. ¡°Probably to grab the medical supplies you were asking for,¡± I answered, slinging my rifle over my shoulder. Oscar¡¯s face twisted in frustration, and he let out a sharp exhale. ¡°Hmph, no wonder my request for medical aid hasn¡¯t come through. Let me guess¡ªthe truck¡¯s bloody stuck, isn¡¯t it? Fucking hell.¡± His voice was a mix of irritation and resignation, the weariness of the day¡¯s events catching up to him. I gave a small nod. ¡°Well, and I guess command assigns a contractor for it, huh?¡± Oscar rolled his eyes. "What?" I said, narrowing my eyes, caught off guard by his bluntness. "You¡¯re disposable, Ain," Oscar replied flatly. "No offense, but that¡¯s just how it is with contractors." He paused, gesturing vaguely to the soldiers around us. "Us? We¡¯ve got families, kids, people who depend on us. If we go down, we¡¯re at the top of the priority list for revival. But you? The Federation can wait¡ªunless, of course, one of your fellow contractors is willing to foot the bill for your revival cost." His words stung, but they were laced with a truth I couldn¡¯t deny. In their eyes, I wasn¡¯t a soldier with roots, just a tool for the job. A resource, expendable and easily replaced. "Nice to know where I stand," I said dryly, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "Thanks for the vote of confidence." Oscar continued, ¡°When contractors are dispatched, it usually means the mission is too dangerous or too costly to send more soldiers. It¡¯s a gamble for command, just like it¡¯s a gamble for you." He crossed his arms, his gaze turning toward the horizon as if weighing his next words. "Still," he continued, a hint of caution creeping into his voice, "I doubt the truck will just be a truck, Ain if you catch my drift." I frowned, the weight of his words settling in. "You think it¡¯s bait?" Oscar smirked faintly. "Or something worse. Either way, keep your eyes open out there. Do you need our help?" I refused, ¡°I think I get what you mean. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be careful.¡± ¡°Well, I think I can spare something,¡± Oscar said, tugging at the front of his ballistic armor. With a grunt, he pulled out the heavy plate nestled inside. "Level VI plate," he explained, holding it out toward me. "This should protect you from something strong enough to pierce a BMP¡¯s armor. And since you¡¯re a contractor," he added with a smirk, "you¡¯ll probably just get thrown around instead of, you know... turned into paste." I took the plate, feeling its weight in my hands. "Appreciate it," I said, sliding it into my own armor. "Don¡¯t mention it," he replied, adjusting his now lighter vest. "Just don¡¯t go getting yourself killed before delivering those medical supplies." ¡°I promise, I won¡¯t.¡± I then gazed at the sea of corpses. ¡°Oscar, you don¡¯t mind if I loot those husks, right?¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± I stepped toward the field of carnage, my boots crunching over shattered weapons and spent shells as I surveyed the lifeless husks. I crouched beside the first husk, its grotesque, partially decayed features locked in an eternal grimace. "Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got," I muttered, my hands moving quickly to rummage through its inventory. One husk after another, the loot started to add up. Ammunition, weapons, and a lot of personal equipment, which might fetch a decent price if I could get it repaired. Then I struck gold¡ªthe peppered juggernaut suit that the husk was wearing. The sight of it almost made me laugh. ¡°Guess you won¡¯t need this anymore,¡± I quipped, adding it to my growing collection inside of my inventory. Eventually, my inventory became so full that I had to transfer most of the loot into the back of my pickup truck. Despite my upgraded storage capacity, it wasn¡¯t enough to hold all the weapons and gear from the husks I¡¯d taken down. They were like pests¡ªrelentless and in overwhelming numbers.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. After all, it hadn¡¯t just been a skirmish; it was a small army that had assaulted the checkpoint. The sheer volume of loot was staggering, but I prioritized the most valuable finds. My phone became my makeshift ledger as I carefully noted down items that seemed worth selling: intact rifles, ammo, machine guns, and the occasional rare armor scavenged from their corpses. The truck bed creaked under the weight of the haul, piled high with gear that could potentially fund my next upgrades¡ªor save my life in the field. As I surveyed the load, I couldn¡¯t help but shake my head with a small grin. "Guess I¡¯m going to need a bigger inventory soon," I muttered. ¡°You work hard, eh?¡± Oscar remarked, eyeing the truckload of weapons and gear I¡¯d managed to scavenge. His tone was somewhere between impressed and amused. ¡°Well, they are hordes,¡± I replied with a shrug. ¡°Might as well make the most of it.¡± Oscar nodded, his gaze shifting to the pile in the truck bed. ¡°Alright, listen. If I were you, I¡¯d sell that haul at the nearest depot first. It¡¯s too much to carry around, and you¡¯ll need the credits more than we will. Don¡¯t worry about the medical supplies¡ªthey can wait. Honestly¡­¡± He paused, his expression darkening slightly. ¡°I think those ¡®supplies¡¯ might not be for us anyway.¡± His words hung in the air, adding a weight of suspicion to the already strange mission. ¡°You¡¯re saying it¡¯s a decoy or something?¡± I asked. ¡°Maybe,¡± he admitted. ¡°Just saying¡ªbe careful, Ain. Clear your inventory and prep for whatever you¡¯re walking into. The Federation doesn¡¯t send contractors on easy jobs.¡± I gave him a nod of thanks. ¡°Appreciate the advice, Oscar. I¡¯ll swing by the depot and gear up before heading out.¡± ¡°Good,¡± he said, clapping me on the shoulder. ¡°Stay safe out there.¡± ¡°Verdammte Schei?e, young angel, it¡¯s not even a fucking day, yet,¡± Wilhelm commented. I returned to Ludmilla, my pickup truck groaning under the weight of the haul. The sheer amount of gear piled in the back certainly turned a few heads, but most people just shrugged it off¡ªcontractors hauling in ridiculous amounts of loot probably wasn¡¯t an uncommon sight around here. Pulling up to the depot, I unloaded everything I planned to sell, stacking it haphazardly on the floor. Wilhelm, the depot¡¯s clerk, gave me a once-over before sighing and grabbing his ledger. Without a word, he began counting and cataloging the mountain of gear I¡¯d brought in. Piece by piece, he tallied up the haul, scribbling down notes and muttering under his breath. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy,¡± he said at one point, lifting a battered rifle with a skeptical look. I just shrugged. ¡°They came in hordes. I didn¡¯t really have a choice.¡± Wilhelm smirked faintly and went back to his work. Once he¡¯d finished calculating, he turned to me with a verdict. ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the deal. Some of this gear is in decent shape, but most of it¡¯s barely holding together. Those busted apparel items? Practically scrap. So, the value¡¯s been adjusted accordingly.¡± He handed me a slip with the final numbers, and despite the deductions for broken gear, it was still a substantial haul. I couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°Not bad for a day¡¯s work.¡± Wilhelm looked over the pile of gear with a tired expression, scratching his head. ¡°The assault rifles, hmm¡­ I don¡¯t have time to appraise them all, girl,¡± he said, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Let¡¯s fix them at 1,100 UC each to balance out the AKs and M4s prices. Fair enough?¡± He didn¡¯t wait for a response, moving on to the heavier weaponry. ¡°For the LMGs, we¡¯ll call it 3,000 UC each. GPMGs? Those are worth more¡ª5,000 UC apiece. The armors, though¡­¡± He paused, poking at a dented chest piece. ¡°Probably 1,000 UC each, given their condition.¡± Wilhelm straightened up, brushing his hands off his combat uniform. ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s all, I guess. Sound good?¡± I nodded, mentally tallying the numbers. It wasn¡¯t a bad deal, and honestly, I didn¡¯t have the energy to haggle. ¡°Fair enough,¡± I said, watching him start logging the items into his system. ¡°So¡­ how much?¡± I asked. ¡°160,500 UC,¡± Wilhelm answered. ¡°Alright.¡± ¡°And the funds are transferred, angel,¡± Wilhelm said, leaning back with a sly grin. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you pulled this off, but damn, you¡¯re one hell of a contractor, you know? If you ever need tanks¡ªor something close¡ªjust let me know. Maybe I¡¯ve got something cheap that¡¯ll catch your eye.¡± ¡°Noted,¡± I replied with a faint smirk, mentally filing away the offer. You never knew when a tank might come in handy. ¡°And Wilhelm, can you fix this thing?¡± I pulled out the juggernaut suit, knowing how it tanked the MRAD easily, I would like to have one, and probably, Wilhelm would be willing to swap it for a brand new one of my size, but I didn¡¯t have too much hope of it. ¡°Damn, how the hell did you shred a high-performance ballistic suit?¡± Wilhelm muttered, shaking his head as he inspected the ruined gear. Chips of ceramic dust clung to the battered fabric. ¡°Tell you what¡ªI¡¯ll trade you a new one for 4,000 UC.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so special about it?¡± I asked, my curiosity piqued. ¡°It¡¯s a suit made with high-tensile aramid fibers woven in a cross pattern for extra strength and to spread out impact. The ceramic plates are silicon carbide with a dense backing to stop them from shattering and to absorb energy from hits. This setup can stop rifle rounds¡ªeven lead-core 12.7x99mm NATO. On top of that, the outer shell is coated with a special resin to resist fire, wear, and bad weather, and it¡¯s sealed to keep everything working under tough conditions,¡± Wilhelm stopped to take a breath. ¡°Go on,¡± I said. ¡°The helmet is made from high-density aramid fibers reinforced with ceramic inserts, providing excellent protection. It¡¯s compatible with standard accessories like NVGs, flashlights, and other tactical gear.¡± ¡°So¡­¡± ¡°Anything short of a Barrett M82 won¡¯t take you down,¡± Wilhelm said, smirking. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s heavy as hell, but with this, you could survive almost anything. Just remember¡ªif someone brings something bigger than a Barrett, you¡¯d better turn and run.¡± ¡°Okay, thanks,¡± I replied with a nod. ¡°Still,¡± Wilhelm continued, hefting the armor slightly, ¡°you¡¯ll need time to strap this thing on. It¡¯s no power armor, but it¡¯ll fit snugly enough over your outfit. So, what¡¯s it gonna be? Are you buying or not?¡± ¡°Sure, go ahead,¡± I said without hesitation. ¡°Deal,¡± he replied, a satisfied grin on his face. ¡°I¡¯ll find your size. Wait here.¡± After a few minutes, he returned with the armor. ¡°Here we go,¡± he said, placing it on the counter with a dull thud. It looked imposing up close, its ceramic plates glinting faintly under the depot¡¯s overhead lights. ¡°This should fit you. If not, well, you¡¯ll just have to grow into it.¡± I chuckled. ¡°Let¡¯s hope it fits. I don¡¯t have time to grow right now.¡± Wilhelm smirked, crossing his arms. ¡°Try it on. It won¡¯t do much good if you can¡¯t move in it.¡± With a bit of effort, I strapped the armor over my current outfit, adjusting the buckles and tightening the straps. It was heavier than I¡¯d expected, but it didn¡¯t feel unwieldy. The snug fit was surprisingly comfortable, and I could still move without feeling restricted. ¡°How¡¯s it feel?¡± Wilhelm asked, watching me with a critical eye. ¡°Solid,¡± I replied, shifting my shoulders and testing the range of motion. ¡°A bit heavier than I¡¯m used to, but manageable.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Wilhelm said with a satisfied nod, leaning on the counter. ¡°If I gave this to level 1 you, though? You¡¯d be overwhelmed. That outfit weighs 90 kilos.¡± He smirked slightly, watching as I adjusted a strap. ¡°Just remember what I told you¡ªthis thing can handle just about anything, but if you see anti-materiel gear pointed your way? Don¡¯t try to be a hero.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± I said with a faint grin. ¡°Thanks for the warning¡ªand the upgrade.¡± I quickly stripped off the suit and stowed it in my inventory. Taking it off was much easier than putting it on¡ªunsurprisingly. As I secured it away, I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to myself. There was no way anyone could swim in that outfit, and that probably explained why the juggernaut armor was designed to be so easy to remove. Still, couple that with a machine gun, either the M249 or the MG-338, and it would be a beast, after all, I didn¡¯t sell those two things for an obvious reason. I was planning on buying or fixing the juggernaut suit from the get-go. It was a beast, considering that it somehow tanked the machine guns and the barrage that we threw at it. We destroyed it by the sheer amount of fire, not because our weapons were any powerful. ¡°Now, what are you going to do next?¡± Wilhelm asked. ¡°I still have a contract to fulfill,¡± I answered, putting my night-vision goggles on my helmet. It snugged perfectly into the helmet that I wore. ¡°Woah, woah, young angel, is that a Ground-Panoramic Night-Vision Goggles?¡± Wilhelm asked. ¡°Yes, why?¡± ¡°Look, I know it might sound strange, but hear me out¡ªit¡¯s better if you insure your equipment,¡± Wilhelm said, leaning on the counter. ¡°Sure, you can try to retrieve it yourself from your dead body, or worse, your dead husk, but with insurance, you can skip all that. You come back to me, and I¡¯ll have it waiting for you¡ªno extra cost.¡± ¡°How much?¡± He smirked, tapping his ledger. ¡°It¡¯s only 20% of the item¡¯s value upfront. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a good deal?¡± ¡°For my whole gear?¡± I asked. ¡°Well, let¡¯s see, any items purchased from me is already insured, you might only want to insure the weapons you find on the field,¡± Wilhelm further explained. ¡°Ok.¡± ¡°Let me get my hand on my scanner for you,¡± Wilhelm grabbed his phone-like thing from his pocket and scanned me with it. ¡°I see you found two new machine guns, an M249, and an MG-338. That¡¯ll be 5,000 UC in total.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± I said, transferring 5,000 UC into Wilhelm¡¯s account. ¡°It¡¯s a good day doing business with you,¡± Wilhelm smiled. He then handed me a laser sight. ¡°A bonus, just for you, dear angel.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Chapter 11: The Truck I drove my pickup truck through the darkness of the night, the rumble of the engine the only sound accompanying me. Following the coordinates to the missing truck, I navigated through the forest and past the southern checkpoint, eventually merging onto a dirt road that led back into the open grasslands. This area felt different¡ªmore dangerous. Occasionally, bullets whistled past as husks caught glimpses of my vehicle. Their aim was erratic, but the tension was palpable. The sky shifted rapidly from a fiery orange to an inky black, plunging everything into near-total darkness. Not wanting to draw more attention, I avoided turning on the headlights. Instead, I quickly flipped on my night vision goggles, their green glow illuminating the path ahead. With the lights off, I moved cautiously, relying on the NVGs to avoid detection by the lurking husks. Surprisingly, or not, the night vision was better than I anticipated, the image was as clear as it could be, and I could see the tiniest details in the grassland. As I drove through the dark expanse, my thoughts drifted to the potential threats waiting ahead. So far, the most challenging danger had been the sheer number of husks this world seemed determined to throw at me. Even then, I¡¯d had the backing of the Federation¡ªa faction with enough infrastructure and influence to make survival at least somewhat manageable. Still, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something worse might be lurking just beyond my sight. The only sounds keeping me company were the soft hum of the engine and the occasional blip of the waypoint marker in my vision, steadily guiding me toward the truck¡¯s location. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I considered what I might find when I got there. I could only hope it wasn¡¯t something catastrophic. If that truck had fallen into the wrong hands¡ªor worse, if it wasn¡¯t just a truck¡ªit could spell disaster for more than just me. I quickly shook the thought, I got more weapons and ammo than an average PMC in Tarkov, sure as hell I would get through this easily. I got like, what, 4,000 rounds in my inventory? The waypoint on my HUD blinked closer, the distance steadily shrinking as I navigated the uneven dirt road. I caught sight of faint silhouettes¡ªunnatural shapes against the backdrop of the grassland, with the shape of a large truck. The missing truck was there, just as the waypoint indicated, but something was wrong. There was nothing there, pure and simple. The truck wasn¡¯t flipped or anything, it was just¡­ there, unscratched, without any soldiers manning or guarding it. The task was to retrieve the truck, and the amount of credits, it was too good to be true. Something is wrong, I can feel it. I parked my truck a safe distance from the target and reached into my inventory, pulling out the ballistic suit. The weight of it hit me immediately, but I had no time to hesitate. Piece by piece, I strapped it on, swapping out my standard helmet for the heavy ballistic helmet that came with the suit. Grabbing the night-vision goggles, I snapped them into the helmet¡¯s integrated mount. The enhanced visibility was a welcome upgrade¡ªit wasn¡¯t quite a power armor system, but it was close enough to make me feel like a walking tank. As I secured the last strap, a thought crossed my mind. A minigun would be perfect right about now, I mused. But, alas, that particular dream wasn¡¯t happening tonight. Instead, I reached for the M249 from my inventory, the weight of the machine gun comforting in its own way. I stored my G36 in the inventory and put the MRAD on my back. Not to forget, I also attached the laser sight to my M249. "Guess you¡¯ll have to do," I muttered, patting the weapon¡¯s receiver as I checked the belt-fed rounds. I slowly approached the truck, I saw no sign of battle on the truck itself. I scanned the vehicle thoroughly with my NVGs. No bullet holes, no scorch marks¡ªnothing to suggest a battle had taken place here. The truck was oddly pristine, almost untouched. This feels wrong. It was too clean, too intact. Every instinct screamed at me that this was a setup. I swore that the moment I opened it, something would happen. Maybe an alarm, a trap, or worse¡ªan ambush lying in wait. ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered under my breath, ¡°let¡¯s see what¡¯s behind door number one.¡± With one hand, I reached out and grasped the door handle, ready for the worst. As my hand gripped the door handle, I paused for a fraction of a second, bracing myself for the unknown. With a sharp pull, I yanked the door open¡ªand immediately dove to the side, expecting gunfire or an explosion. But nothing happened. The truck¡¯s cabin was empty. No traps, no husks, no ticking bombs. Just a clean, undisturbed interior. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt the tension start to ease¡ªbut only slightly. This is too easy. Then I heard it. A faint beep. It was almost inaudible over the wind, but it was there, rhythmic and ominous. My blood ran cold. The sound wasn¡¯t coming from the cabin¡ªit was coming from the cargo bay. The beeping grew louder, steady, and relentless, like a countdown. Oh no.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Suddenly, the cargo bay erupted in a deafening explosion, the shockwave slamming into me like a freight train. I was thrown clear of the truck, my body ragdolling through the air before hitting the ground with bone-jarring force. I rolled over the dirt and grass, the impact knocking the wind out of me as my helmet rattled against my skull. My M249 still slung tightly to my body, dug into my side as I tumbled to a stop, face down in the dirt. My head throbbed as it slammed against the uneven ground, the ballistic suit absorbing enough of the impact to keep me conscious but not enough to keep it from hurting like hell. Dazed, I tried to push myself up, the world spinning around me. My NVGs flickered, momentarily disrupted by the force of the blast. In the distance, I could hear the faint, guttural growls of whatever monstrosity I had just unleashed. Inside the truck wasn¡¯t cargo or supplies¡ªit was a massive, pulsating mass of organic material. It looked alive, its surface shifting and writhing as if breathing. Tendrils extended from it, snaking around the wreckage of the cargo truck. In the middle, a glowing red core. [???Slimera??? - Level ???] Oh, for fuck sake! Before I could react, the core suddenly emitted a blinding flash of red light, and the beeping turned into a high-pitched whine. The tendrils snapped to attention, moving with terrifying speed toward me. I quickly imbued my machine gun with dark psionic energy. I immediately pulled the trigger of my machine gun, peppering the mass with bullets coming from the gun. The bullets tore into the pulsating mass, leaving behind gaping wounds that oozed a strange, glowing fluid. Chunks of the fleshy exterior exploded on impact, and the tendrils recoiled violently, writhing as if in pain. It let out a terrifying roar as I continued to pepper it with my machine gun. Then, out of nowhere, husks¡ªa shitton of them¡ªappeared, flooding in from every direction like they¡¯d been summoned out of thin air. My heart sank. Really? Did this thing just summon them? For fuck¡¯s sake, this had to be a joke. The tendrils convulsed violently, then suddenly sprouted a series of grotesque meat spikes from the writhing mass. Without warning, the spikes launched toward me, cutting through the air like deadly missiles. My instincts kicked in, and I activated my [Focus] skill. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as my perception sharpened, every detail of the spinning spikes coming into vivid clarity. I gripped my machine gun tightly, steadying my aim with deliberate precision. With the spikes inching closer in my slowed perception, I pulled the trigger. The M249 roared, each burst of bullets carefully aimed, tearing through the incoming projectiles. One after another, the spikes disintegrated mid-air, their fleshy fragments scattering harmlessly to the ground. The last spike exploded just meters from me, and I exhaled sharply, releasing my [Focus] skill. My blue bar was gone by half, but at least, nothing but splattered meat landed on my ballistic face shield. I quickly wiped them off and focused on the incoming husks. I tossed the empty ammo box aside and quickly slapped a fresh one into the M249, the satisfying click signaling I was ready to go again. I could feel the force of bullets striking my body¡ªsharp impacts dulled into nothing more than gentle taps by the heavy ballistic armor. The husks, wielding their scavenged assault rifles, unleashed a barrage of fire, trying to suppress me. But instead of flinching, I grinned under my helmet and returned the favor, unleashing a relentless spray from my imbued machine gun. The dark psionic energy enveloping the bullets shimmered ominously as they tore through the air, guided like they had a mind of their own. Each round found its mark with uncanny precision, punching through husks one by one. The husks faltered, their numbers thinning rapidly under the assault. The air filled with the sharp crack of gunfire and the dull thuds of bodies hitting the ground. I kept firing, ensuring none of them got the chance to regroup. I continued the rampage on my end, slowly, the husks¡¯ bodies fell one by one with each casing that fell into the ground. I then refocused on the abomination. It somehow stayed. Don¡¯t tell me it can¡¯t move. Whatever, let¡¯s get this over with. I slung the M249 over my shoulder, its barrel still smoking, and switched to the MG-338 from my inventory. The weight of the weapon felt solid in my hands as I assumed a firing stance, planting my feet firmly. Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger. Each shot sent a heavy recoil through my arms, but the ballistic suit absorbed the brunt of it, keeping me steady. The rounds tore through the incoherent blob of meat, each impact causing chunks of flesh and sinew to explode outward in grotesque sprays. The mass shuddered under the relentless barrage, its tendrils flailing as the concentrated fire ripped through its form. It felt like pure destruction in my hands, and I wasn¡¯t about to let up. If that thing hadn¡¯t died, I would keep shooting. Eventually, the 100-round box ran dry, the MG-338 clicking empty with a final, resounding clack. Smoke curled from the barrel as I lowered the weapon, my breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. The mass? Well, it was no longer a mass. The once-pulsating blob of meat was now a scattered mess of shredded flesh and broken tendrils. At its center, the crystalline core lay shattered, its faint red glow flickering before dimming into nothingness. I exhaled sharply, surveying the aftermath. "Guess that¡¯s one problem solved," I muttered, putting the MG-338 back into my inventory and glancing around for any remaining threats. [Retrieve Lost Medical Supplies Near Southern Checkpoint: FAILED] [45,000 UC Has Been Deduced From Your Account] [Exiting Combat: +3,000 EXP] "Medical supply my arse," I muttered, then cursed out loud, the words echoing into the night. Of course, it wasn¡¯t just medical supplies. It never was. I should have expected that the Federation always had a way of underplaying the danger¡ªor outright lying. And now, not only had I fought through a nightmare, but I was also out 45,000 UC for my trouble. I wasn¡¯t sure what happened, heck, how the hell that thing even appeared in the cargo bay. ¡°Next time, I¡¯m charging them double,¡± I grumbled, kicking a chunk of shattered meat across the dirt. Well, at least I¡¯m still alive. I then turned my gaze at the truck, which was thankfully clean and unscratched from any damage from the previous battle, not even a stain of meat or strange liquid was visible on its window. Maybe, I could have enough money from looting the husks. And my Hilux is still intact. Chapter 12: A Little Bit of Down Time I returned to Ludmilla, weary but not empty-handed. After selling off all the equipment I¡¯d scavenged from the husks, my penalty had been reduced to a more manageable 20,000 UC. Still, the events of earlier clung to my thoughts. That grotesque creature¡ªit didn¡¯t make any sense. The entire mission reeked of something off, and the Federation¡¯s treatment of contractors as disposable assets felt more apparent than ever. ¡°You seem to be deadly tired,¡± Eleanor¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts. I glanced over at her, seated across the guild bar. She was watching me with her usual calm curiosity, her sharp eyes not missing a thing. The guild building was as quiet as always, save for three other mercenaries seated separately in the dimly lit room. Me? I was nursing a glass of beer at the bar, accompanied by a platter of chips, cheese, and other snacks I¡¯d barely touched. ¡°Yeah, you could say that,¡± I replied, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. ¡°Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s been a long day.¡± Eleanor leaned back in her chair, smirking faintly. ¡°By the look of you, I¡¯d say more like a long war.¡± ¡°Feels like it,¡± I muttered, taking a sip of the beer and letting its bitterness go down my throat. ¡°Still,¡± Eleanor began, her tone casual but tinged with curiosity, ¡°you¡¯re leveling up pretty fast, you know? When I was your age, I don¡¯t think I progressed nearly as quickly. Then again, we used to go to other realms for speed-leveling.¡± She eased herself into a seat across from me, her sharp eyes scanning me like she was trying to figure out a puzzle. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because David was quite the revolutionary back then.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden mention of him. ¡°He¡¯s a medic,¡± she continued, ¡°working for the Federation now, but back then? Oh, it was fun. We just wandered around, realm to realm¡ªsometimes doing heists, sometimes pulling spec-op missions. And other times¡­¡± She chuckled, a faint grin tugging at her lips. ¡°Sometimes we¡¯d just screw around, shooting stuff without a care in the world. It was chaos, but it was our chaos.¡± I leaned back, swirling my glass. ¡°Sounds like a wild ride. You miss it?¡± Eleanor tilted her head, her grin fading slightly. ¡°Maybe. But back then, we weren¡¯t chained to this system, these rules.¡± She gestured vaguely around the guild hall. ¡°We made our own way. Now? Well¡­ retirement isn¡¯t exactly as fun as I expected, but it is certainly more relaxing.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve met David,¡± I said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°The guy¡¯s sitting on billions.¡± Eleanor smirked, her eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°Oh, is he now? Well, I¡¯m still richer than him.¡± I nearly choked on my drink. ¡°Holy shit, no wonder you pay us a lot.¡± ¡°Hahaha, not really,¡± she said, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°For me, it¡¯s just spare change. At my level, most jobs I take pay more than enough to cover the cost of a thousand contractors like you. So don¡¯t get too excited¡ªmy generosity isn¡¯t hurting my wallet.¡± I leaned forward, resting my arms on the bar. ¡°Must be nice to be able to throw around that kind of money.¡± Eleanor chuckled, leaning back with a knowing smirk. ¡°It is as glamorous as it sounds, but let¡¯s be real¡ªmost of my jobs would have you newbies wiped out before you even knew what hit you.¡± ¡°Like what?¡± I asked, genuinely curious.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. She leaned back, casually swirling her drink. ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s see. Taking down a dragon horde? Destroying an entire union/federal military installation under full lockdown? Acting as a decoy while infiltrating a planetary fortress?¡± I blinked, and she smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction. ¡°Then there¡¯s bounty hunting in hostile realms,¡± she continued casually, ¡°neutralizing rogue AIs that¡¯s gone off the rails, or escorting Federation diplomats while practically every assassin in the continent is gunning for them. Oh, and let¡¯s not forget dealing with corrupted deities¡ªthose are always a headache.¡± ¡°Corrupted deities?¡± I repeated, incredulous. Eleanor leaned back, her expression serious for a moment. ¡°Yeah. The level 500+ crowd. They¡¯re a nightmare to deal with¡ªsmarter, stronger, and nearly impossible to take down without a full team of people just as strong. Not to mention, they also have their equally strong friends.¡± ¡°Ish, I see.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much about it, kid,¡± Eleanor said with a reassuring smirk. ¡°Contracts like that are rare¡ªmaybe once every hundred years or so. I just happened to get lucky¡ªor unlucky, depending on how you look at it¡ªand participated in one.¡± She leaned forward, lowering her voice slightly. ¡°Heck, if I remember right, the Federation¡¯s president is level 2,000, and the prime minister is somewhere around level 1,500. Those kinds of people deal with the real realm-scale threats.¡± I blinked, trying to process the absurdity of those numbers. ¡°Level 2,000? That¡¯s insane.¡± Eleanor shrugged, her tone calm but firm. ¡°It¡¯s a different world up there. At their level, they¡¯re more myth than human. They don¡¯t fight threats¡ªthey end them before anyone else even knows they were there.¡± She leaned back in her chair, her grin returning. ¡°So, yeah, you¡¯ve got a long way to go before you¡¯re in that league.¡± Eleanor then grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet right behind her, she then poured herself a glass. She paused, swirling her drink thoughtfully. ¡°You know, the original inhabitants of this world were the Union. They were powerful in their own way, but their¡­ authoritarian communist approach didn¡¯t sit well with the Federation. Let¡¯s just say their ideas of ¡®unity¡¯ and ¡®shared wealth¡¯ didn¡¯t leave much room for individual freedom, and it caused more than a few conflicts.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°So what happened?¡± Eleanor smirked faintly. ¡°Let¡¯s just say they¡¯ve been... marginalized.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t seen many ¡®inhabitants¡¯ of this world if you get what I mean,¡± I added, taking a long sip of my beer. Eleanor nodded thoughtfully before responding. ¡°This is the realm of survivalist looters if you catch my drift. The cities do exist, but you need an aircraft to get there, and the jobs aren¡¯t exactly as exciting as what you¡¯re dealing with here.¡± As the adrenaline from the day began to fade, I felt the heaviness in my eyes creeping in. The exhaustion was undeniable¡ªit was time to finally get the rest I¡¯d earned. ¡°Hey,¡± I called out to Eleanor, stifling a yawn, ¡°can I get a room? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll manage with the cot in the tent tonight.¡± Eleanor raised an eyebrow, then smirked as she reached under the counter, pulling out a key. ¡°Sure, 80 UC,¡± she said, setting the key on the table with a faint clink. ¡°You¡¯ll get a nice bedroom with a king-size bed and, bonus¡ªa bathtub to soak in.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± I replied, sliding the credits her way without hesitation. I grabbed the key and stood up, already picturing myself sinking into the comfort of the promised bed. ¡°Enjoy it,¡± she added with a knowing grin. The hotel room was rather simple, a room with a bed, a television, a small bathroom, and a small chair overlooking the window outside. I sat down on the chair, looking at the grassland outside. I recounted my first day in this world. It was rather¡­ fun. Like, when you played the best game for the first time in your own entire life. It was nice, to say the least, if I have to be honest. I then looked at my inventory, browsing through my weapons and my equipment. I wondered whether these ballistic vests and weapons could be upgraded. [Equipment] [Weapons] I saw no upgrade button. Maybe if I brought this to Wilhelm, he''d know what to do with it, but for now, I needed some sleep. It had been a long, exhausting day. Besides, being revived from death would likely mess with your physics in ways I couldn¡¯t even begin to understand. I tucked the inventory away and sank into the soft comfort of the mattress, closing my eyes, and letting the quiet embrace of sleep take over. Chapter 13: The Beginning of a Wandering Healer I woke up early in the morning, and then, I headed downstairs to fetch the free breakfast that Eleanor offered. It wasn¡¯t bad, in my opinion, just a simple toast, bacon, and eggs. The guild building was still as quiet as usual, the faint hum of machinery in the background and a few murmurs from scattered mercenaries the only sounds. I quickly finished my meal, placed the plate on the counter, and made my way to the quest terminal. As I scrolled through the available jobs, Eleanor glanced over from where she was wiping down a table. ¡°Hey, Ain,¡± she called out, her tone casual, ¡°why don¡¯t you try filtering the terminal for healer-related tasks?¡± I paused, turning to her with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Healer-related tasks?¡± She smirked slightly, her rag moving in steady circles on the tabletop. ¡°Yeah. So far, I haven¡¯t suggested them to you, have I? But it might be worth a shot. Those types of jobs tend to be more specialized, and you might find something better suited to your skill set.¡± I nodded, intrigued by the idea. ¡°Fair point. Guess it¡¯s time to put these skills to more focused use.¡± Eleanor gave a small shrug, still focused on cleaning. ¡°Just a suggestion. But from what I¡¯ve seen, you¡¯re more than capable of handling them. Could even earn you a good reputation among the guild members. Maybe they¡¯ll recruit you to their party.¡± I turned back to the terminal, narrowing the filters as Eleanor had suggested. My curiosity was piqued¡ªwhat kind of healer-specific tasks would show up? Before applying the filter, the tasks had been overwhelmingly generic¡ªstraightforward objectives like delivering medical supplies, assisting with triage, or patching up injured mercenaries. Nothing particularly special or challenging, and most of them could easily be handled with standard medicine and basic first-aid skills. [Do You Have Medical Qualifications?] [Yes] [No] I pressed the yes button. [Scanning¡­ Medical-Qualification Related Memory Found. Adjusting tasks according to available skillsets and tools] [Skillset: Anesthesiologist + Novice Potion Maker] [Displaying Job] The terminal screen flickered briefly before populating with a fresh set of tasks. My eyes scanned the list, intrigued to see what opportunities matched my qualifications. These weren¡¯t the generic ¡°patch up a soldier¡± jobs I¡¯d seen earlier. [Develop, Deliver, and Administer a Potion to Nullify a Rampaging Psionic Warlord: 350,000 UC] [Provide Emergency Sedation and Pain Management for Survivors Trapped in a Reality-Warping Anomaly: 1,000,000 UC] [Assist in the Capture and Sedation of an Elemental: 280,000 UC] [Potion Needed For Dragon¡¯s Headache: 260,000 UC] [Certified Healer Needed For Dungeon Infiltration: 240,000 UC] [Need Healer+Sedation Serums: 230,000 UC] [Provide Anesthesiologist Medical Support For Task Force 404: 800,000 UC] One thing caught my attention¡ªthe pay for providing medical support to the task force had gone up significantly. I frowned at the terminal, trying to make sense of it. The last time I¡¯d seen this contract, the reward was nowhere near this high. Now, it was almost suspiciously generous. I didn¡¯t understand why. Maybe the situation had escalated? Maybe they were desperate? Either way, it wasn¡¯t a great sign. If the pay had increased, it probably meant the task itself had become far more difficult¡ªand far more dangerous. Great, I thought, shaking my head. More danger, more risk. But the pay¡­ well, that¡¯s tempting. What could go really wrong? You know what, fuck it, we ball. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! I accepted the job to provide medical support for the task force. As soon as I confirmed it, the screen updated, displaying a detailed checklist of objectives that needed to be completed¡ªand within strict time durations. [Provide Anesthesiologist Medical Support For Task Force 404 | 60:00] ¡°Well,¡± I muttered, taking a deep breath and checking my inventory, ¡°looks like I¡¯ve got my work cut out for me.¡± Before heading to the airfield, I made a quick stop at Wilhelm¡¯s depot. If anyone could get me the supplies I needed in a pinch, it was him. Besides, there was no other supply store inside of this small village. I got out of the guild building as quickly as possible. The morning was still early, yet, the sound of clinking metal and muttered curses filled the air as I approached his counter. Wilhelm glanced up, his eyes narrowing in that familiar mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Back again, angel?" he said, leaning on the counter. "What do you need this time?" "Medical supplies," I replied, placing a list on the counter. "Enough to fill two bags for eight emergency casualties. And I need it now." He wasn¡¯t sure what he needed to provide, but he had a general idea, "Two bags, huh? Trauma kits, healing potions, sedatives¡­ are you planning to patch up a war zone or start one? Anyway, can you be more specific on what you need?" "I need advanced hemorrhage control¡ªarterial tourniquets, hemostats, and combat gauze impregnated with clotting agents. I¡¯m not sure I can rely entirely on my healing spell. Also, include a few vials of high-grade healing potions for rapid tissue regeneration and, if it exists, combat stims for psionic regeneration." Wilhelm nodded, jotting it down. "How about painkillers?" "Fentanyl, ketamine, and midazolam, all in prefilled syringes. Add dexamethasone for systemic inflammation control and vasopressors like epinephrine or norepinephrine for shock management. I¡¯ll need fast-acting stimulants too, preferably injectables, for sustained combat performance." "Anything else?" he asked, his pen poised. "Portable vital signs monitor¡ªruggedized, capable of tracking BP, ECG, SpO2, and respiratory rate. Throw in airway management tools: endotracheal tubes, bag-valve masks, and nasopharyngeal airways, just in case of severe trauma. Honestly, I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m walking into, so I want to be ready." Wilhelm smirked. "Sounds like you¡¯re gearing up for hell. Give me five minutes." He disappeared into the back, leaving me to mentally double-check my needs. It sounded about right. I still had more than enough ammunition, 2,000 ish rounds from the loot I gathered previously were still there, I doubted I needed more than that amount of rounds to survive the onslaught of whatever was thrown against the task force. Still, why does it require me to jump from a moving airplane? That smelled like trouble, if I have to be honest. Wilhelm emerged from the back, hefting two duffel bags onto the counter. They were the military kind, rugged and durable, with large red-cross patches stitched on top for easy identification. ¡°These should do the trick,¡± he said, patting one of the bags. ¡°Everything you asked for, packed and ready. Hemorrhage control, anesthetics, stims, and all the other goodies. I even threw in a couple of extra healing potions and syringes¡ªon the house. Right, the total is 12,000 UC.¡± I nodded, inspecting the bags briefly. The weight of them told me they were loaded to the brim, but I trusted Wilhelm¡¯s attention to detail. ¡°Thanks. This should cover it.¡± I put the two duffle bags into my inventory. [Inventory - 140/225 kg] [254,947 UC] [Weapons][Vehicles][Armor/Equipment] ¡°You sure you¡¯ve got everything?¡± he asked again. ¡°I think I have all of them,¡± I answered. ¡°Good luck, angel,¡± Wilhelm said. I rushed out of the depot and sprinted toward the airfield. The C-17 was already lined up, its turbojets roaring in anticipation of takeoff. I rushed towards the airfield gate and ran towards the back ramp of the C-17. To my surprise, three people were already inside the cargo hold of the aircraft. One was a masked man, another was an elf, and the third... was someone I recognized¡ªDavid. He was fully outfitted in high-tech tactical gear that covered his entire body, with a helmet that obscured his face. The only way I could tell it was him was by the identification tag I spotted and the unmistakable horns protruding from his head. [David - Demonic Necromancer - Level 75] [Case - ??? - Level 120] [Jane - Elf Assault Engineer - Level 90] ¡°Wait, you are our fellow contractor? This is kind of ridiculous, isn¡¯t it?¡± the elf commented the moment I stepped my feet in the aircraft. ¡°We can try our luck, I bet, hope in, Ain,¡± David said, commanding me. I stepped deeper into the aircraft. The cargo ramp slowly closed and the aircraft began to move into the runway. I strapped myself into the nearest seat. Inside the cargo airplane, there was one single cargo palette, containing weapons and other supplies. David sat down right next to me while Case and Jane sat down on the opposite side of the airplane. Jane gave me a skeptical look. I was merely a level 10 while Jane was way higher than me. Still, at the very least, the man right next to me didn¡¯t complain a thing. ¡°By the way, Ain, we¡¯re dropping in a hot zone, so, make sure you¡¯re ready. Have you ever jumped before?¡± David asked. I shook my head. "Ah, well, you should¡¯ve already built up the muscle memory from the moment you were reincarnated into this world anyway," David shrugged. It was a moment too late to question it, but still¡ªwhat had I gotten myself into? Chapter 14: Task Force 404 [Provide Anesthesiologist Medical Support For Task Force 404: 0/1] ¡°Have you done a HALO jump before?¡± David asked, connecting the oxygen tank to the adaptor integrated into his combat helmet. I strapped on the helmet from the C-17¡¯s cargo bay, fastening the parachute and securing the oxygen mask to my body. If you¡¯d asked me before, I would¡¯ve said no, I¡¯d never done anything like this. But, as strange as it was, I knew exactly what to do. My movements were natural as though the knowledge had been imprinted on me the moment I stepped into this world. David glanced at me, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ll need that.¡± Jane then warned, ¡°Set your altitude sensor to 400 meters.¡± David then explained, ¡°So, long story short, Task Force 404 is dealing with the organization actually associated with the corrupted outbreak, the organization¡¯s name is Divinity. Our forces are trapped in Solimat, an abandoned city northeast of Ludmilla and the main base.¡± Jane then added, ¡°Case will take point, opening up a path for Alpha Team to reconnect with Bravo. We¡¯ll land at Alpha Team¡¯s position. After that, we¡¯ve got a lot to do. Ain, grab six NLAWs from the cargo bay.¡± I nodded without a word, already moving toward six NLAWs attached to the cargo bay¡¯s wall. I put the anti-tank missiles into my inventory, but from the looks of it, this mission would be one hell of a difficult one, wouldn¡¯t it? The alarm on the aircraft suddenly blared. The ramp at the end of the cargo bay opened, letting the gush of winds enter the cargo bay. Case, the silent point man, didn¡¯t hesitate. He stepped forward, pushing the first equipment palette into the open air. It disappeared into the night, swallowed by the blackness. The force of the wind slammed into me, but my instincts kicked in. I secured the last few straps on my gear, making sure everything was in place. David gave me a brief, unreadable look. ¡°Let¡¯s move, Ain.¡± Jane was already at the edge, her eyes scanning the darkness below. ¡°On my count.¡± I took a breath. ¡°Three... two... one,¡± Jane said, and before I could process it, she was gone, leaping into the void with an effortless grace. ¡°Move! Move! Move!¡± David shouted, then pushed me into the end of the ramp. The rush of air was deafening, and I felt the weightlessness take over as the ground dropped away beneath me. David was diving down right next to me, his clothes were hitting against the cold air of the sky. I also looked at the marker put on my vision, the landing zone. The altitude meter showed that it was 10,000 meters above the ground. The air continued hitting my face, if not for the helmet that the military gave me, the air would surely freeze my face. I feel my body hitting through the thin clouds. The view of the ground became clearer as our altitude continued to drop. I could see several flashes on the ground and silhouettes of armored vehicles. I checked my altimeter¡ªit was already dropping faster than I expected, the 400-meter mark approaching. It was time to deploy the parachute. I pulled the cord and the parachute expanded, quickly slowing my descent. I glanced around¡ªDavid and Jane were already below me, their figures becoming smaller as they descended. The landscape below was a city block, with shattered buildings and dense vegetation, reminding me of Pripyat. The landing zone was a small city park, complete with a rusted playground and withering trees. My feet touched the ground, right next to where the two were landing. I quickly unpacked my parachute threw away the helmet and wore my ballistic helmet. The twos were unloading the pallets and putting them into their inventories.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Besides the pallet was a squad of soldiers, and a bunch of dead soldiers littered on the ground. From the one person left, there were five dead bodies littering the ground. The two fighting soldiers were hiding behind a corner of the building. ¡°Ain, David, revive these people. Case is already handling the tanks and the APCs,¡± Jane commanded. ¡°Alrighty, boss,¡± David replied. David moved his hands. A glowing small dark red circle appeared on the ground, giving off a sinister aura. He then gestured to the dead soldiers. ¡°Ain, move those dead bodies here one by one.¡± I didn¡¯t hesitate. My body moved on its own to move the dead body into the sinister circle. A blob of black slimes enveloped their bodies, covering them, and I wasn¡¯t sure what they did. Considering that David was a necromancer, he might be reviving them with dark psionic energy for all I cared. As the dark slime slowly crept over the soldiers¡¯ bodies, I stayed on edge, my eyes darting between the two soldiers now starting to regain their senses and the battlefield around us. It felt like time stretched unnaturally, each passing second thick with tension. The wind rustled the withered trees in the park, the quiet before the storm. I turned my attention to the cargo pallet. One by one, I began unboxing the weapons inside. The anti-tank missiles¡ªRPGs, MAAWS, and others¡ªwere heavier than they looked, but I moved with urgency, carefully stacking them on the ground, ready to be passed off. The task was simple enough, just hand them over to Case when he returned. But something about this situation unsettled me. I couldn¡¯t shake the thought of what or who Case really was. Every instinct screamed at me to question it, but my gut told me there were more pressing issues at hand. Even from the sky, as I had descended moments ago, I saw armored vehicles closing in, their heavy treads leaving tracks in the earth as they neared our position. And yet, every minute or so, explosions rang out in the distance, massive blasts rocking the ground and sending plumes of smoke into the air. It was almost like clockwork¡ªboom, another explosion, and the sound of another vehicle being taken out of the picture. I wasn¡¯t sure what kind of skill Case had, but whatever it was, it seemed more than capable of holding off a whole battalion. ¡°Ain, I need you to give them an injection of 4 mg of Fentanyl each,¡± David asked while channeling some sort of dark cloud of energy from his hands. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it kill them?¡± I asked, never I injected someone with more than 0,02 mg of Fentanyl. David then answered nonchalantly, ¡°Aren¡¯t they dead? I¡¯m merely un-dead them. Well, unless you want a screaming party, then I suggest that you do it, dear anesthesia. The spell merely returned their soul, not exactly removing their pain.¡± I looked for an injector pen, and there they were. A whole set of them, filled with fentanyl. I¡¯d never really worked with something this potent before, but it was clear that the dosage was way higher than what I''d ever seen¡ª1-10 mg per injection. That was way more than I was used to, especially when administering to someone who was just... ordinary. Had I not been paying attention, I might¡¯ve just used it without thinking and killed someone. These soldiers were already dead, and David didn¡¯t seem to care much about how I felt about it. He¡¯d already given me the green light. I unscrewed the cap and carefully attached a new needle to the injector pen, making sure to double-check the dosage was 4 mg. I had no experience with this kind of revival work, and the whole situation felt a bit surreal. David then peeled away the slimy substances covering the bodies using his power, revealing their thighs for the intramuscular injection. I prepared the injector pen, pressing it into the exposed muscle of the first soldier¡¯s thigh. The needle slid in smoothly, and I quickly replaced it before moving to the next body. It was a methodical work, then, after the whole pen ran out, I grabbed another one. Eventually, I injected all of the dead bodies with fentanyl. David then closed their thighs again, continuing the revival process. As I adored the work, Jane then pulled me. ¡°Ain, can you accompany me? They said a VIP is stuck on that building,¡± Jane pointed her finger at a building located right across the street. It was an apartment building, gunfire erupting from its windows, streaming in and out like a deadly dance. The building itself was only three stories high, but getting inside felt like stepping into a nightmare, if I were to be honest. The street outside, however, was wide open and exposed¡ªtoo exposed. I wasn¡¯t about to let this outing end with me getting torn apart by an autocannon. Jane, unfazed by the chaos, urged me to follow and trust her. And despite everything, I did just that. What choice do I have? We crossed the shattered asphalt street, the sound of gunshots ringing out as bullets struck our bodies now and then. My health bar ticked down with each hit, but I stayed unfazed, the pain nothing more than a fading annoyance. Finally, I reached the bottom floor of the building. ¡°Stay close to me, Ain,¡± Jane nodded. We navigated the stairwells, the concrete steps creaking underfoot as we ascended toward the third floor. Every corner we turned, I couldn¡¯t help but sense the tension in the air, the danger lurking around every bend. And then, it happened. Without warning, there was a sharp click, and before I could react, the explosion tore through the room. The force of it threw me off my feet, hurling me through the air like a ragdoll. I crashed onto the hard asphalt below, my body slamming into the ground with a sickening thud. Chapter 15: Escape From Solimat Everything around me went blurry. My vision swam in and out of focus. I could hear faint shouting above me¡ªJane, maybe David¡ªvoices muffled by the ringing in my ears. My health bar plummeted¡ªdown to a mere 5%. Fucking hell. I placed my hands over my body, focusing on my health bar as it slowly began to regenerate. The searing pain from the explosion was still fresh, but I could feel the healing process kicking in. With a grunt, I pushed myself off the asphalt, the world still spinning slightly as I tried to regain my bearings. Before I could get far, a harsh tug pulled me to my feet. I barely had time to process what was happening before I was being dragged away from the road, away from the chaos. The next thing I knew, I was being propped up near a tree, the rough bark pressing against my back. Case stood over me for a moment, scanning the area before giving me a quick thumbs-up. Case then raised his hand. David threw him an ammo for the MAAWS he was carrying on his arm. Case caught the ammo as if it was weightless and put it back inside the launcher. He then ran again to the moving danger. David then looked at me, he sighed, ¡°Well, that¡¯s close enough to dying, I guess?¡± I replied, ¡°Huh?¡± My ears were still ringing. ¡°Never mind, can you help me with these guys?¡± David asked. ¡°I need you to regenerate their wounds. Use the stim on your bag if you run out of psy.¡± As I approached the nearest soldier, I focused on the psy-energy within me, drawing from what I had left. I placed my hands over his injuries, feeling the familiar tingle as the healing energy flowed out. His deep gashes and bruises started to close, the skin knitting itself back together. I moved methodically from soldier to soldier, repeating the process with each one. They remained unconscious, their wounds steadily healing under my touch. As the blue energy bar in my vision continued to deplete, I injected a psy stim into my body, feeling the familiar surge of energy. It was enough to get me through the last of the regeneration work. By the time I was done, all of the soldiers¡¯ wounds were mended, and I even managed to reconnect a few shattered limbs that had been severed in the battle. They were breathing steadily now, no longer the broken, lifeless bodies they had been moments ago. Just as I finished, a massive explosion ripped through the apartment building we¡¯d just come from. The shockwave rattled the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. I barely had time to react when a figure emerged from the dust and smoke¡ªJane, with a woman in tow. The woman didn¡¯t look like a typical prisoner. She was wearing a military uniform, but the lack of combat gear on her body told me she wasn¡¯t one of the regular soldiers. The way she carried herself, with an air of quiet confidence, made me suspect she was someone important. But who? And why had Jane brought her here? ¡°Are all of them taken care of, David?¡± Jane shouted. ¡°All accounted for, Jane,¡± David replied. Jane jumped down from the third floor into the ground. If she could survive an explosion from an IED, I had no doubt that she could make that kind of jump. She approached our group with the woman near her. ¡°Is Case done?¡± David asked. ¡°Pretty much it, the road is clear, he¡¯ll be coming back soon.¡± ¡°Jane, how about you summon your tank and I summon my IFV?¡± David asked. ¡°That¡¯s not a bad idea,¡± Jane added. Then, all of a sudden, two vehicles appeared on the road. One was an M1 Abrams, and the other was a Boxer armored vehicle. It seemed like the Boxer would be used to carry the troops through the carnage, while the Abrams would absorb the damage from the enemy¡¯s armored vehicles. However, the two vehicles looked strange. The M1 had a larger cannon than usual, and the Boxer featured a turret pulsating with radiant energy with a large tubular shape and a lens on the end of it. It wasn¡¯t the regular configuration for the gun, at least as far as I could tell, but my knowledge of this world was limited. ¡°Ain, tag along with me. I need someone to man the 30mm autocannon turret,¡± Jean said, climbing into the tank''s interior. Without asking any questions, I simply followed suit. The tank had three hatches, all located at the front. I climbed through one of them, and that''s when things took an unexpected turn.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Instead of the high-tech machinery I had expected, I was greeted with a surprisingly simple interface. The compartment was dominated by a massive monitor, and a VR goggle rested on the seat. The tank''s seat itself was positioned far from the rest of the interior, almost isolated from the other sections. The controls were just as simple¡ªa single joystick, an XBOX joystick to be exact. When I said isolated, I meant it literally¡ªit felt almost claustrophobic, with metal walls lining both sides, a far cry from what I expected in a regular tank. The space was so separated that I couldn¡¯t even see Jane inside. ¡°Em¡­ what?¡± I was speechless, but nevertheless, I jumped into the tank. The health bar on my vision turned gray and the heart icon was replaced with a gear icon, showing the total health of the vehicle. I wore the VR goggles and closed the hatch. Suddenly, it shifted to a third-person view of the tank. "Alright, welcome to my tank," Jean said, "This is the solo kit, which cost nearly 300,000 UC. Get a feel for the controls¡ªsome people prefer a mouse and keyboard, others a joystick. Just try to get the hang of it, Ain." I moved the 30mm cannon with a joystick, it moved just as if I was playing a game. I switched to thermal, giving the black-and-white view of the tank itself alongside the area surrounding it, giving me a better view all around. Then, the Abrams began to move forward. With the tank being in the third-person view, and the fact that I could see everything with intense clarity was already an insane fact. However, I still couldn¡¯t get myself to remain calm. How exactly does this tank work? Does it just take damage at face value¡ªlike an RPG does 20 damage, a cannon does 28, and so on? Or is it more realistic, where, if the tracks get disabled, it¡¯s game over for the whole thing? I wasn¡¯t sure, but I was more of the first term. After all, despite being thrown from a building, and shot in the torso countless times, my only concern seemed to be my HP depleting, not any real complications. I had no limbs broken or separated from my body, only mild sting and blood sipping out of those holes. However, the rest was straightforward. If I saw a white human silhouette through the targeting system, I knew to pull the trigger. The 30mm autocannon would rip through anything, and no cover could protect the enemy from its wrath. "Visual on enemy T-55, 180," David transmitted over the radio. I watched as the tank turret smoothly rotated, aiming toward the target. With a thunderous crack, the cannon fired, sending a sabot projectile streaking toward the enemy''s position at incredible speed. The impact was catastrophic¡ªthe T-55¡¯s armor buckled, and a massive explosion erupted, hurling the tank''s turret high into the air. But then, a new wave of fire erupted from the surrounding buildings and skyscrapers. Soldiers, taking cover in those buildings, unleashed a barrage of small arms fire, peppering the tank and the APC with bullets. RPGs streaked through the air, one hitting the tank squarely on the side. I braced myself for the damage assessment. A slight beep echoed in my ears as the tank¡¯s health bar dropped by just 5 points. ¡°Wait¡­ that¡¯s it?¡± I muttered, surprised. The RPG¡¯s impact had barely made a dent. My eyes flicked to the HUD, double-checking the numbers. Sure enough, the tank¡¯s damage was almost negligible. ¡°What are you expecting? Our tank to blow up?¡± Jane asked. ¡°Of course not.¡± ¡°That¡¯s my first reaction too at first, anyway, fire at those assholes, Ain!¡± David shouted through the radio. ¡°Copy that.¡± I pointed my 30mm autocannons at those white spots on top of the tank and fired away. The continuous stream of bullets from the autocannons went straight through each and every one of the enemy¡¯s cover, killing them instantly. One of the soldiers was hit directly in the body. The force of the impact sent him tumbling backward, and the rocket he was holding detonated in a spectacular explosion. It sent debris flying and created a burst of fiery light that lit up the scene from the top of one of the nearby buildings. However, multiple banging and clanging still hit our tanks, thankfully, there was no damage done yet at the tank, and the health of the tank, strangely enough, was slowly regenerating. In the middle of the carnage, my thoughts wandered somewhere else. ¡°Where¡¯s Case?¡± I asked. Jane then answered, ¡°Case found his own way, always, just worry about us, girl. We still have five kilometers to go.¡± I continued the carnage, firing the autocannons at the incoming hostiles. The best part was, that it felt like the autocannon had an endless supply of ammunition¡ªat least, it seemed that way. The only thing that could stop me was the overheating mechanism, which kicked in sooner than I¡¯d liked. The barrel of the cannon grew red-hot, and the cooling systems kicked in with a loud whirring sound. It didn¡¯t take long for it to cool down. The convoy continued its way through the torn city, eventually arriving at the forest on the edge of the town, overgrown with vegetation with barely any sign of humans in there. However, we continued to push through. At least, we didn¡¯t find any thermal signature as the tank moved through the dirt path located in the forest. The convoy had reached the outskirts of Bravo¡¯s position¡ªa small camp nestled in a valley between two ridgelines in the middle of the forest. There were merely three JLTVs inside the camp, and I saw nothing else but five temporary camps. To make things even stranger, there were only three people left inside the camp¡ªand all of them were women? Not only that, but they were women with cat ears and tactical gear. I blinked twice, unsure if I was seeing things. The last time I checked, the soldiers here were a mix of the usual grim-faced guys, but this was definitely... something else. The guys we had rescued earlier were mostly the usual ¡°sausage party,¡± as I had come to call it. Gruff soldiers with a similar look, all hardened by war. But now, here we were, looking at three women who looked like they stepped right out of a fantasy game¡ªcat ears, sharp eyes, and tactical gear. I glanced at Jane, who was walking beside me, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice my confusion. She was used to the weirdness by now. ¡°Alright, get out, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± Jane said. [Exiting Combat: +18,000 EXP] [Level Up: 10 ¡ú 13] [72 Status Points Available] [16 Skill&Perks Points Available] Now I get triple the amounts of points? Nice. Chapter 16: The REAL Task Force 404 The soldiers that we revived earlier walked out of the APC one by one. I already got out of the hatch of the tank and walked toward the four women, following Jane from behind. I really wanted to distribute the stat points, but my objective clearly stated that I needed to provide continuous medical support for the task force. The women didn¡¯t say much as we approached. One was crouching next to a sandbag barricade, her sharp ears twitching slightly as she adjusted a sniper rifle, scanning the forest through the humongous scope of her rifle. The other two were near a small makeshift tent, one organizing medical supplies, the other holding a tablet. ¡°Uh... cat ears?¡± I asked, almost without thinking. ¡°Ain¡­ you have horns,¡± Jane sighed. Jane approached the woman holding the tablet. They shook hands. Jane introduced herself while I curiously observed the twitching cat ears coming out of the holes on their combat helmets, just as how my horns came out of the two holes on my helmet. [Provide Anesthesiologist Medical Support For Task Force 404: 0/1] Okay, that seemed simple enough. The healing magic in this world was pretty straightforward, and I didn¡¯t have to worry too much about fatal casualties, I guess. Still, these women looked like they knew what they were doing. They were skilled, but I hadn¡¯t scanned their levels or abilities yet. They were all wearing high-end tactical gear, so at least I knew they¡¯d be able to keep me from dying. I instinctively made my way toward the woman who was organizing the medical supplies. She seemed like someone I needed to talk to. [Mira -- Mechanical Healer Wolfkin ¡ª Level 25] ¡°Great, another pair of hands,¡± the white-haired woman said, giving me a firm handshake. Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone so slender. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mira,¡± I replied, setting the two medic bags I had gathered from my inventory down with a quiet thud. She glanced at the bags, then raised an eyebrow. ¡°Hmm. Just these? Barely a dent in what we¡¯ve got left.¡± ¡°I thought you looked like you were still well-stocked,¡± I said, shrugging slightly, looking over the crates containers marked as medical items. Mira¡¯s gaze shifted toward the group of survivors we had rescued. ¡°Well, these are for them,¡± she said with a sigh, gesturing toward the people. ¡°They¡¯re finally going home today. And we... we¡¯re stuck here, in this shithole, if I¡¯m being honest.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked. Then, my answer came in the most unexpected way. Jane suddenly shouted out a command to all the men inside the IFV to pack their bags. "Move it, guys," she ordered. "The emergency aircraft will be here in three hours. Get your stuff ready. We¡¯re out of here soon." Her words were met with a flurry of activity, as the men scrambled to gather their gear. Why would they leave these three women alone in here while they left? Were they in different units? They wore the same flag, as far as I could see. Mira then added, ¡°They¡¯re with the 85th Airborne Division. They¡¯re not exactly the surgical tactical teams you¡¯d send to deal with Divinity. They¡¯re tasked with dealing with armored vehicles patrolling Solimat, but well¡­ you know the story.¡± As Mira and I stood there, watching the soldiers dismantle the remaining tents¡ªleaving only one large tent for the four of us¡ªI couldn¡¯t shake the shock from my mind. This sudden shift was almost too much to process. They were just going to leave them like this? It didn¡¯t make sense. What kind of justification could there possibly be for abandoning them with so few people?The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. There was no way three people, even with military gear, could handle any significant military operation. And then there was me¡ªno training, no experience. Sure, I¡¯d played Call of Duty, but this wasn¡¯t a video game. The reality of a real military operation was a whole different world. I felt completely out of my depth. David and Jane moved with efficiency, helping the soldiers pack their gear into the APCs. For anything that couldn¡¯t fit, David would expand his inventory and carry the heavier items, his movements smooth and practiced. They packed everything up until all that was left were the two tents. The JLTVs were loaded up and driven off, leaving only one behind for us. Mira sighed heavily, a bitter, almost sinister look in her eyes as she watched the unit leave. It was clear she wasn¡¯t thrilled with how things were unfolding, but she seemed to be resigned to the situation. The commander gave a simple nod to Jane, acknowledging her request, while the soldier chopping the tree kept at it, seemingly indifferent to the whirlwind of activity around him. I grabbed David by the arm, pulling him back. "David, what the hell? Are you really going to leave these three here? Just like that?" He looked at me, giving a half-shrug and a tone that wasn¡¯t exactly reassuring. "Well..." He hesitated, clearly unsure, before continuing, "It is what it is." "Why?" I asked, my voice rising a bit in disbelief. David sighed, clearly not thrilled with the situation either. "I have no clue. My task was to revive the airborne forces, which I¡¯ve done, by the way. Jane¡¯s job was to extract the soldiers with her VTOL cargo craft. And Case? He¡¯s off taking care of the armored vehicles scattered in Solimat." "And that means what, exactly?" I pressed, my frustration mounting. David glanced at me, the calmness in his demeanor almost maddening. "It means we¡¯ve finished our assignments. Our part¡¯s done. The Task Force still has unfinished business, and I¡¯ll leave it to them. What¡¯s the matter?" I stared at him, stunned. "Are you out of your mind?" David blinked, unfazed, and nonchalantly continued his task, lifting the medical crates from the nearby tent. "No? I mean, if the Federation is confident in their abilities, then I¡¯ll let them be. You should¡¯ve been more careful about reading your quest, Ain." I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing. This was the plan? Leave them here with nothing? I could only stand there, trying to process his cold indifference to the situation. I put myself in his shoes. Of course, we never feared death, but still, leaving people in here, to their own tasks? It was rather¡­ unbelievable. And these three? Why didn¡¯t they protest at all? Were they just accepting this fate, or were they all out of their minds? I couldn¡¯t fathom how they could stand by so passively as the convoy rolled out, leaving us behind. Not a single word of protest, no sign of anger. They were just... resigned. I let out a frustrated sigh. A part of me really wanted to grab the medical supplies away from David. Maybe that would give me some leverage, but who was I kidding? If he countered, I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. So, I did the only thing I could¡ªretracted myself from the situation. There was no point in getting into a fight I couldn¡¯t win. The convoy of armored vehicles gradually disappeared into the distance, their engines growing fainter as they made their way out of the outpost. And there we were, left behind. It was only me and them now. The remaining trio and me. And as much as I hated to admit it, I was the weakest link. I had no military experience, and no skills beyond basic survival. If things went south, I¡¯d be the first to go. The realization hit me hard¡ªthis wasn¡¯t going to end well for me. Mira then patted my shoulder, offering a surprisingly comforting gesture. ¡°Cheer up, Ain, isn¡¯t it? It¡¯s not that bad.¡± ¡°It is,¡± came a voice from behind, and I turned to see the woman who had been looking at the tablet earlier. She was tall, with the heaviest armor of the bunch, with ceramic plates inserted throughout her body armor, accompanied by a confident air about her. Her black ears were twitching in discomfort while looking at me. [Elene ¨C Rogue Paladin Elf¨C Level 30] ¡°Well, that¡¯s one way to greet a newbie,¡± Mira chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°Elene, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s exactly how you should start.¡± Elene, or whatever her name was, shot Mira a quick look before responding, her voice filled with disdain. ¡°My task is to complete this mission and keep you all alive. But somehow, the Federation thinks that losing our airborne troops is such a big deal, that they pull them out? So what about us? Are we expendable?¡± ¡°Maybe?¡± Mira shrugged, her voice casual, but there was a glint of uncertainty in her eyes. ¡°I think we¡¯ve been through worse odds before.¡± I then asked, ¡°Let me reiterate something¡ªif they¡¯re not the 404, then it¡¯s only the three of you?¡± Mira didn¡¯t seem to be in a rush to answer, but Elena wasted no time. ¡°Long story short, yes,¡± she replied, her tone blunt. ¡°Officially, we don¡¯t exist. But well, that¡¯s never the case, is it?¡± ¡°Welcome to the team, Ain. I hope you enjoy the wild ride.¡± Chapter 17: Night Time Is The Right Time We prepped for the night with our makeshift routine. I took charge of preparing the meal. Mira helped by chopping the wood for the fire, Alice, the sniper, kept watch, her eyes scanning the surroundings through her thermal scope after hunting down some rabbits for us. The quiet rustle of the forest was only punctuated by the occasional crack of the fire, the air thick with fog, and the smell of cooking meat. As the stew bubbled over the fire, I stirred it with a ladle, trying to keep the heat steady while Alice¡¯s eyes remained glued to the distant treeline. It wasn¡¯t much, just a simple rabbit stew with the salt and pepper from our MREs, but it was something. At least they seemed to appreciate it. ¡°You can cook, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± Elene said, giving me a rare smile as she speared a piece of rabbit with her fork. ¡°Not bad, for someone whose history might only be studying and studying,¡± Mira teased, giving me an almost playful look. I could tell she didn¡¯t mean any harm by it, but there was something underlying in her words like she was trying to figure me out. [Alice - Marksman Engineer Catkin - Level 35] Alice didn¡¯t speak much, but she gave a silent thumbs up, acknowledging the meal while never breaking her watch. I sighed inwardly. I couldn¡¯t help but wish I had tanks or armored vehicles like the previous contractors had something that could make me feel useful. But, for now, this was my reality. Alone with these three. I glanced at them, wondering about their mission¡ªwhat kind of operation had they been pulled into? What was it that they needed my help with? And more importantly, what did they want from me? I still didn¡¯t know the full story behind them, and I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to ask. I wasn¡¯t afraid of dying; in fact, at this point, I wasn¡¯t sure what I was still hanging on to. But them... I wasn¡¯t so sure. We finished the meal, and as the night settled into a quiet lull, Elene casually dropped the bombshell, her voice steady as she took the last bite of the rabbit stew. "Ain, Mira, Alice, I need your help," she said, setting her bowl aside and locking eyes with us. "We¡¯re outmanned and outgunned, so I need the two of you to support me and Alice. Ain, I know you¡¯re still level 13, but we need all the help we can get. If this mission goes sideways, I can¡¯t guarantee what will happen to the three of us." I blinked, not sure if I¡¯d heard her correctly. ¡°Sure¡­?¡± "Great," Elene said, nodding as if the decision was already made. "Ain, you¡¯ll be with me. Mira, you¡¯ll be with Alice. It¡¯s a straightforward job¡ªwe need to take out five key figures controlling Solimat. If these five are killed, the Federation could swoop in and claim the abandoned town from Divinity." The words hit me like a ton of bricks. I blinked at her, taking a moment to process. "Woah¡­ wait a minute. I think you know our odds, right?" My voice carried a mix of disbelief and caution. Case was an anomaly, taking armored vehicles like a true video game protagonist, I wasn¡¯t sure I would be able to do that. "Yes, I¡¯m fully aware of that," Elene responded without missing a beat. "But judging by your level, I¡¯m guessing you don¡¯t know how Divinity operates. These five figures are the ones commanding the Corrupted. Think of it like this¡ªimagine you''re dealing with zombies, but not the incoherent, stumbling kind. No, these are coordinated zombies... with guns, under the control of these figures." I raised an eyebrow, trying to wrap my mind around it. "Coordinated zombies with guns?" The thought was both bizarre and terrifying. "Yeah. These five control different areas, and they make sure their Corrupted forces stay organized. If we take them out, the Federation can step in and handle the rest. Without those figures, Divinity¡¯s grip on Solimat will weaken since all of the soldiers return to a husk. But if we fail¡­ well, you can guess what happens next."If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°You¡¯ll be dead?¡± ¡°Well, you can say it like that,¡± Mira said, nonchalantly. "Great," Elene said again, a slight smile tugging at her lips, though it didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes, maybe because it was a forceful smile. "We don¡¯t have that much time. Let¡¯s get ready, we¡¯re heading into the town.¡± They doused the fire in an instant, the flames hissing out as they were smothered. In the same breath, I attached the night-vision goggles to my helmet, the soft click signaling my readiness. The rest of the group was already on their feet, moving with a fluidity that spoke of countless hours of training. Each person was outfitting themselves¡ªstrapping on gear, checking weapons, adjusting equipment¡ªnothing was wasted. The four of us jumped into the JLTV and we drove out of the campsite, leaving only burning ash behind. Alice drove the car without saying a word, her weapon, an unknown Barrett rifle, was lying down in the empty space between her and Elene on the front seat. I kept my hands on my M249, sensing that this would be a long and heavy outing. My MRAD was safely tucked in my inventory, but if the need arose, I''d pull it out. The JLTV bounced over bumps and patches of rough road without any trouble. Eventually, we arrived at the edge of the town. Mira dropped Elene and me off before driving off again. A new objective appeared in my peripheral vision: three targets¡ªBelikov, Uley, and Mosley. Well, that was a hell of a lot of targets. ¡°How many days do we have?¡± I asked, knowing these targets would be well-protected. ¡°One. That''s right¡ªyou won''t be getting any rest soon, Ain,¡± Elene added. I flipped down the night-vision goggles, and everything turned green. The dark silhouettes of high-rise apartment buildings and overgrown trees dotted the horizon. Elene motioned for me to follow her, signaling for me to stay quiet. Here¡¯s the thing, though. The woman was holding an M4¡ªan unsuppressed M4¡ªwhile I was gripping an M249. "Quiet" was the last thing either of those weapons could manage. Still, I would entrust my life to this special operation person accompanying me. We avoided the main road, moving quietly through the overgrown bushes and abandoned apartment building to stay out of sight of the soldiers patrolling the area. Elene¡¯s warning was clear: ¡°If you alert one of them, the rest will come for us. We won¡¯t have time to think.¡± I nodded, understanding the stakes. I had enough IFAK and stims to support us, and at least with those, Elene could keep fighting if things went south. We stayed low and kept our pace steady, knowing that one mistake could turn this whole mission into a disaster that neither of us could handle. Case did a good job, handling the armored vehicles, but it didn¡¯t mean that Divinity didn¡¯t have any more of them around. In fact, I saw several of them wandering on the main road, patrolling the area. The thought of getting hit by the BMP autocannon made me shudder. ¡°Hey, do you have an anti-tank guided missile?¡± Elene suddenly asked. ¡°I have, why, do you want to take out a vehicle?¡± I asked her back. ¡°Probably, give one to me,¡± Elene said. I pulled one of the NLAWs from my inventory and then gave it to Elene. Elene put the NLAW on her back and we continued to move toward our objective. We pressed on, moving silently through the overgrown bushes and abandoned buildings, our only company the occasional rustle of the wind and the distant hum of the town. The night was quiet, too quiet for comfort, but that didn¡¯t mean we were safe. Elene motioned for us to slow down as we neared the edge of a crumbling apartment block. She signaled me to take cover behind a broken wall while she moved ahead, her M4 in hand, ready for anything. I stayed close, watching her movements with an intensity that matched hers. Our first target was Uley, who was located on the very top floor of the abandoned apartment building. The good thing was, the whole apartment was bright, making our night-vision goggles unneeded. However, it meant that the quiet option was out of the window. ¡°Looks like we have to do it the loud way,¡± Elene sighed, looking at the well-guarded entrance of the building. ¡°Well, I have an LMG and an MG-338, alongside a juggernaut suit,¡± I added. "No kidding?" Elene raised an eyebrow. "That should make things a lot easier." I nodded and pulled the MG-338 from my inventory, handing it to her. "Here, take this. And these too." I tossed her two more ammo boxes to make sure we were stocked up. Elene seemed not to be fazed by the weight of the machine gun. I pulled the juggernaut suit from my inventory and slipped it on over my clothing, making sure each piece of the suit, along with the bulletproof vest underneath, fit snugly with my combat gear. I adjusted the straps and secured everything in place before throwing my tactical gear back on top of the ballistic suit. Satisfied, I double-checked my equipment¡ªready to go. Elene gave a nod of approval, her eyes briefly scanning the layers of armor I¡¯d just added. She knew taking down a juggernaut wasn¡¯t something you could do without some serious firepower or tactical advantage. Most soldiers couldn¡¯t manage it alone without specialized tools, and the suit would definitely give me the edge I needed if things got rough. ¡°Alright, we got a whole fucking building to take down,¡± Elene checked on the ammo on her MG-338. Chapter 18: Assault On The Apartment Building - First Target: Uley I broke cover first, stepping into the open with a surge of dark energy swirling around me. I quickly cast my buffing spells, activating [Dark Psionic Imbuing] and [Demon Enhancement]. A sinister, bloody-red aura enveloped my body, while my weapon thrummed with dark power. With the spells coursing through me, I didn¡¯t hesitate. I pulled the trigger of my machine gun, unleashing a torrent of bullets laced with dark energy. The rounds cut through the air without aim, guided by sheer force, and slammed straight into the bodies of the two guards at the entrance. The heavy barrage echoed across the night, a warning to anyone else nearby. The sound of gunfire from the soldiers upstairs was a confirmation of what I already knew¡ªthey were alerted. I wasted no time. With the combined power of my own strength and the protection of the juggernaut suit, I charged the locked door. My shoulder collided with it, and with a sickening crack, the lock shattered. The door splintered on impact, sending debris flying. Before I could even get a step further, the Divinity soldiers guarding the entrance opened fire. Bullets rattled off my armored body, but they were little more than nuisances against the juggernaut suit. Before I stood up, Elene killed the four Divinity soldiers guarding the entrance. I stood up from the ground with the help of Elene. I looked up, seeing Uley moving back and forth, left and right, probably building up some kind of fortification or readying himself for the upcoming battle. Even he should have known that the husks wouldn¡¯t be able to hold us out. From the looks of it, he was about ten floors above of our head. Since the light was working, I was thinking that the elevator might also be working. However, I quickly shrugged off that thought since the elevator might as well be our killbox. ¡°Let¡¯s take the stairs,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯ll be behind you, Ain,¡± Elene replied. We moved through the emergency stairwell with me leading the way, my LMG raised and aimed at the stairs above. The imbuing surged through me, ensuring that every bullet found its mark, making our progress through the narrow staircase almost effortless. Before the enemy had time to react, I squeezed the trigger, unleashing a barrage of bullets, each one guided by my psionic energy, tearing into the soldiers ahead. Their bodies crumpled with hardly a sound, falling in a heap at the foot of the staircase. Elene was right behind me, her .338 Norma Magnum machine gun thundered at the enemies. No matter how heavily armored they were, she made short work of them, her shots leaving nothing but shredded metal and blood in their wake. I barely felt the weight of the nearly hundred-kilogram suit encasing my body. Perhaps it was my enhanced strength, or maybe the synergy with the suit itself, but every movement felt fluid. The LMG felt like an extension of my body, as natural as wielding an assault rifle. We passed floor after floor, methodically clearing each level. The silence between our gunfire was only broken by the occasional echo of footsteps from above. Uley had to be preparing, and I knew we were getting closer to him. The enemies wouldn¡¯t be that stupid. As we reached the tenth floor, Elene signaled me to stop advancing, to let her clear the way first. I nodded in understanding, knowing that she knew better than me as a real special operation officer. She led the way, giving me a hand signal. The moment we stepped into the hallway, bullets were already flying through. Elene took cover behind one of the walls leading toward the doorway. Uley was on the other side of the building. I could feel the tension in the air. I peeked around the corner, catching sight of a squad of soldiers laying down a barrage of gunfire, trying to suppress us while another squad flanked to pin us down and deliver the finishing blow. Without hesitation, Elene pulled a grenade from her pocket and hurled it into the hallway. The grenade flew with a metallic whistle before exploding in a deafening burst. A shockwave reverberated through the building, and a cloud of smoke and debris billowed out, obscuring the enemy¡¯s vision. I wasted no time. Charging out from behind cover, I leveled my LMG and opened fire, the roar of the machine gun filling the air as I aimed down the sights. My weapon churned out a relentless stream of 5.56 rounds, cutting through anyone still standing. Within seconds, the hallway was littered with debris and the lifeless bodies of soldiers.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Elene was right behind me, covering my back, her fire precise and deadly. She took out any remaining threats, especially those with heavier armor that my rounds had trouble penetrating. We moved like clockwork¡ªeach of us covering the other, clearing the way. We reached the doorway leading further into the building. Elene paused for a split second, scanning the area for any additional threats. Her caution was justified¡ªif there was an IED hidden somewhere, it could have been a deadly trap. She studied the door that led to the final hallway, the last barrier before Uley. I could feel his presence on the other side. I gave a nod, then kicked the wooden door wide open, the force sending it slamming against the wall. The moment it swung open, a barrage of machine gun fire erupted, the rounds tearing through the air in a hailstorm of deadly precision. I immediately ducked for cover, just in time to avoid being shredded. But before I could get my bearings, an explosion rocked the hallway. A grenade trap¡ªone we had barely dodged. The sound of shrapnel ringing off the walls confirmed it, and the gunfire from the machine gun ceased, likely to let the enemy reposition. I peeked back out cautiously, but this time two bodyguards emerged from the smoke, AKs raised and aimed directly at me. Their fingers tightened on the triggers, and I had no time to think before they fired directly at my face. The helmet tanked the shot without any trouble, but had it been Elene that did that, she might be killed. Well, maybe it was worth a shot. My weapon was still imbued with dark psionic energy, it might be worty trying to blind fire the whole magazine. With my blue psionic bar running low, I knew it was time to deactivate [Demonic Enhancement] before it drained me completely. The moment I turned off the skill, the bloody red aura surrounding me dissipated, leaving me with only the raw power of my remaining energy. I took a deep breath and blind-fired my machine gun into the room, hoping that the lingering dark energy would still guide the bullets, even without the full strength of the enhancement. My gamble paid off. The gunfire tore through the air, and as the smoke cleared, I saw the aftermath¡ªthree bodies slumped on the floor. One of them had been the soldier manning the machine gun, while the other two were the bodyguards standing guard at the door leading to Uley. Their bodies were riddled with bullets, the heavy impact of my fire leaving little chance for them to react. Elene chuckled, her voice laced with admiration. "You guys are scarily good, you know that?" I didn¡¯t take my eyes off the door, still focused on what lay ahead. "It¡¯s just luck, and the fact that we don¡¯t fear death," I replied, my voice steady, though my mind was racing. I stood right at the threshold of the door leading to Uley. The chaos inside had left me wondering what other surprises this man could have in store. Perhaps a missile launcher, for all I cared. Then, the thought hit me, and I immediately regretted it. Please don''t be a jinx... "Go ahead," Elene nodded, her eyes fixed on the door. Without hesitation, I kicked the door open. What greeted me was unexpected¡ªa bald man, dressed in a Soviet-style parka, clad in heavy armor, and wielding... a revolver grenade launcher? My mind momentarily stalled at the sight. ¡°You¡¯re going to die, fucking feds!¡± he shouted, his voice thick with contempt. Before I could react, a loud thump reverberated through the room, followed by a deafening explosion. The shockwave hit first, and then fragments of debris filled the air. I instinctively threw myself in front of Elene, shielding her from the barrage of shrapnel. The metallic sting of fragments slicing through the air was deafening, but I managed to protect her as best as I could, my suit absorbing much of the impact. "Bloody fucking hell," I muttered, gritting my teeth as the room filled with smoke and dust. I heard Elene¡¯s cough behind me, followed by her voice, strained but determined. ¡°I¡¯m alive. Get that motherfucker, Ain!¡± She quickly handed me the MG-338, her eyes fiery with the desire for vengeance. Gripping the heavy weapon, I activated [Demon Enhancement], feeling the surge of power as the dark energy enveloped me once more. I then engaged [Focus], slowing down time, the world around me becoming a distorted blur. My senses sharpened, my heart pounding in sync with the rhythm of my thoughts. I steadied the MG-338, my aim zeroing in on Uley¡¯s helmet. A slight twitch of the finger and I pulled the trigger. The gun roared to life, sending a torrent of .338 caliber bullets toward him. They tore through the steel helmet like butter, the head behind it disintegrating in a violent explosion of gore. I deactivated [Focus], and the world returned to its usual pace. Uley¡¯s lifeless body crumpled to the floor, his final stand extinguished in an instant. The Milkor MGL rolled on the floor. It was interesting. However, there was a more urgent matter. ¡°Damn, this is bad, isn¡¯t it?¡± Elene muttered, wiping blood from her mouth, her face pale but her voice still sharp. She coughed violently, blood splattering onto the floor beside her. I quickly turned to her, the weight of the situation settling in. "Elene, damn it, you¡¯re hurt." I stepped toward her, but she waved me off, clearly trying to push through it. ¡°Just give me a healing spell, Ain, I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Elene added. I placed my gloved hands over Elene''s torso, channeling the healing psionic energy into her body. The glow of the psionics flickered faintly beneath my palms, spreading warmth through her wounds. Her breathing was erratic. I kept pouring the energy into her, making sure that she stayed alive. I suspected rib fractures, but I wasn¡¯t sure. Her breathing steadied, the erratic coughs less frequent, though the blood still stained her lips. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to make her combat effective again. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one target down,¡± I said quietly, my gaze shifting toward the hallway. "Two more to go." Chapter 19: Distributing More Status Points + Belikovs Tank Unit Elene and I made our way downstairs, cutting through a wave of corrupted husks instead of Divinity soldiers. They were easier to deal with¡ªuncoordinated, chaotic, and more focused on attacking each other than us. It made picking them off one by one almost too easy. I slammed my shoulder into a blocked door, forcing it open with a resounding crack. ¡°Are we heading back to the base?¡± I asked, wiping the sweat from my brow. ¡°No. We¡¯re here to finish the job,¡± Elene replied, her voice unwavering. I shot her a glance. ¡°Seriously? Three targets in one day? Isn¡¯t that a little much?¡± She didn¡¯t hesitate, her expression hardening as we moved forward. ¡°When the job¡¯s this important, you don¡¯t stop until it¡¯s done. And the SOCOM demanded us to finish it before tomorrow, or else, a consequence would apply.¡± ¡°A consequence?¡± I asked. ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern you, Ain. It¡¯s between us and the special operation command,¡± Elene added. ¡°Fine,¡± I replied. We stepped out of the building. The quiet night of the town introduced itself again. The street was as empty as before with no husks or vehicles in sight. It was not eerie, in fact, it was peaceful. Then, a notification popped up. [Exiting Combat: +10,000 EXP] [Level Up: 13 ¡ú 14] [96 Stats Points Available] [19 Skill&Perks Points Available] ¡°Why don¡¯t you distribute your status point first?¡± Elene asked. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea,¡± I replied. I opened my interface menu to look at my status menu and distribute each status point. Weirdly enough, or not, I suppose? The snarky comments disappeared. The intensity of the current situation might warrant that. I knew I didn¡¯t have to be worried about dying, but I still had the urge to complete the mission with Elene. Name: Ain Class: Adept Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 45 ¡ú 70 Agility: 40 ¡ú 40 Vitality: 65 ¡ú 100 Aptitude: 60 ¡ú 100 [19 Skill&Perks Points Available] I distributed the status points to my vitality and aptitude since they fit my combat style the most. I preferred a loud approach with a shitton of healing spells in my armaments. Plus, most of my buff required me to use a lot of psionic energy, which aptitude depended on. The strength was a nice bonus to have, especially when I carried a shitton of things. Now, to distribute the skill and perk points. The active skill was nice to have, that was for sure, but usually, I used the passive buff the most often. I then glanced through the list of available skills, each one more complex than the last. The sheer number of options was overwhelming, but as I scrolled down, none of them stood out as particularly useful for the situation at hand. With that in mind, I decided to focus on upgrading my existing skills. While my skill set was already powerful, I figured that improving what I had could unlock even more potential. Maybe by enhancing these abilities or perks, I could extract something new from them. Healing Hands +2 ¡ú +10: Your ability to heal has significantly improved. Now, by touching an ally, you can rapidly accelerate the healing process, not only mending injuries but also restoring stamina and vitality to those near death. You also remove their pain in the process. Dark Psionic Imbuing ¡ú +5: The imbued weapon now can instinctively anticipate enemy movements and adjust its attacks for maximum lethality. Dark energy pulses from the bullets fired by the weapons, causing devastating damage on impact and distorting reality around the target, making it harder for enemies to target you. Your weapon dealt 20% more damage and flew 20% faster. Demonic Enhancement: Activate your fallen angel rage, double all of your skill effects in the whole duration, and reduce your pain resistance, but be aware that you¡¯ll be more reckless and take far more significant damage.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Focus ¡ú +6: With the upgrade, the time-slowing effect lasts longer and offers even greater control over your movements and decisions, making your reactions nearly instantaneous even in chaotic situations. Your perception of time is further slowed. The psionic cost also has been decreased. Yeah, that was about it. I closed the interface menu. Elene was already waiting for me to move further to the next target. She checked on her M4 Assault Rifle, making sure that every nook and cranny still functioned properly after the carnage. The NLAW on her back was still intact as well. ¡°Do you have a vehicle?¡± Elene asked, flipping her night-vision goggles down. ¡°I have,¡± I said. ¡°Great, time to do some of your contractor¡¯s miracles,¡± Elene said. I opened the menu and summoned the Hilux. The pickup truck appeared in the middle of the street, the engine already turned on, with its gas filled to the brim. Elene entered the driver¡¯s seat while signaling me to go to the passenger¡¯s side. I immediately ran. Reaching the passenger side, I yanked the door open and jumped in, slamming it shut behind me. The car then roared as Elene slammed her foot into the gas pedal, accelerating the pickup truck far away from the apartment building. ¡°For the next target, we have Belikov,¡± Elene added. ¡°Ok. Anything that I should know about this persona?¡± I asked. ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s probably inside a vehicle,¡± Elene continued, her gaze narrowing as she processed the information. ¡°That¡¯s where your NLAW would be useful. He might be inside of a T-72 main battle tank if I have to guess.¡± I knew I had six of them. "A tank, huh? I wasn¡¯t expecting that," I said, tapping my fingers against the seat. ¡°So, he¡¯s really that well-prepared?¡± I let out a breath, I have never faced a tank in my entire life. The idea of facing a heavily armored convoy wasn¡¯t exactly my idea of fun. Tanks were tough enough to deal with on their own, but a small army of them? That was a whole new level of challenge. Still, it could be fun. Elene and I were situated in one of the three-story high flats. We overlooked where Belikov was located. It was around a kilometer away from our main point of attack. We parked our pickup truck from far away, and we were rather¡­ disturbed. ¡°Man, it¡¯s going to take more than a mere NLAW to disable all of them,¡± I sighed, looking through the night-vision binoculars that I borrowed from Elene. I was no longer in the juggernaut suit since it was too heavy for moving around across distance. Long story short, we saw no way of dealing with him effectively. He was situated in the middle of a small hill, a tent or an outpost, totally surrounded by APCs, IFVs, and tanks. If we were going to take them down, we would need more than a mere anti-tank missile. ¡°We couldn¡¯t attack them from an apartment building, could we?¡± I asked Elene, giving her back the binoculars. ¡°With our ATGM being the way it is, no,¡± Elene answered, her answer mirroring the minuscule range of the NLAW. There was no building where we could fire the missile from because the small hill they were on was not surrounded by any building whatsoever. It also had a clear line of sight to the entire town, making a sneaky approach rather questionable. I doubted my juggernaut suit would survive a barrage of 30mm autocannons fired from those BMPs. The thought alone made me second-guess our approach. ¡°Should we ask for support?¡± I asked, trying to weigh the risks. Elene gave me a sharp glance, her eyes narrowed as she focused on the road. ¡°Support? Girl, we¡¯re on our own.¡± I snorted, frustration creeping into my voice. ¡°Are the feds crazy, or do they have a habit of sending their special ops into a meat grinder?¡± Elene smirked a hint of dark humor in her tone. ¡°Maybe the latter. But well, our team¡¯s a bit... special in that sector. We¡¯re practically a suicide squad.¡± I raised an eyebrow, the weight of her words settling in. ¡°Suicide squad?¡± She nodded. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s part of the job. We get the missions that no one else can handle, and we¡¯re not exactly expecting to come back in one piece most of the time. But hey, you, a level-14 contractor, are somehow insane enough to take this job. You¡¯re either insane or incredibly capable of jumping in with us.¡± I let out a dry laugh, leaning back in the seat. ¡°Maybe both. But seriously, we¡¯re going up against armored vehicles, and I¡¯m not sure even my juggernaut suit¡¯s going to survive a full-on 30mm barrage. Do you have a plan?¡± ¡°For now, not really,¡± she said, her voice steady despite the tension. I sighed, exhaling deeply. ¡°Okay¡­¡± Elene¡¯s eyes scanned the area, her mind working quickly. ¡°My plan is to attack them vertically. We need to find a mortar or something heavy to hit them from above.¡± She continued to survey the surroundings, looking for anything we could use to attack Belikov¡¯s position. Then, with a sharp movement, she pointed towards something on the far side of the city. ¡°See that?¡± I took the binoculars from her hand, bringing them to my eyes. I zoomed in on the object she indicated. At first, I had a hard time spotting it¡ªit was well-hidden, tucked away on the far side of a block of buildings. But after a moment, the outline of a missile launcher platform became clear. The truck carrying it was parked, with a handful of soldiers standing guard around it, seemingly unaware of our presence. ¡°That¡¯s a missile launcher,¡± I muttered under my breath. Elene nodded. ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s not the most ideal option, but it¡¯s our best bet for getting the job done. The only problem is¡ª¡± she hesitated for a moment, ¡°¡ªthose two BMP-3s are still stationed around it.¡± I took another long look through the binoculars. The BMPs were strategically placed, and while I knew we could probably take them down, the risk was high. We would be exposed the moment we moved in, and there was no guarantee we could take them out before they retaliated. ¡°It¡¯s risky,¡± I said, lowering the binoculars. ¡°We could handle the BMPs, but it¡¯s not a guarantee we¡¯ll be able to hit that launcher before they notice us.¡± ¡°Still, it¡¯s not like our option is open. That Uragan launcher is our best chance,¡± Then, from Elene¡¯s radio, a comms came up to life, ¡°This is Bravo team, we have a visual on an abandoned Hind, request immediate assistance, commander, should we take that heli?¡± ¡°Stand by, Bravo team,¡± Elene answered. ¡°Well, there¡¯s always a plan B after all.¡± ¡°Is it a good idea?¡± I asked. ¡°Well, we can take our chance with the Uragan, but personally, I prefer the attack helicopter,¡± Elene answered. ¡°Alright, you¡¯re the boss.¡± Elene then replied to her radio, ¡°Bravo team, acknowledged. We¡¯re on our way.¡± I felt nervous. Usually, when something looked too easy, there would be a caveat, and for this helicopter, the caveat might be something that I wouldn¡¯t be able to handle. My biggest fear was that we chew more than we could bite. As I followed Elene from behind, I prepared myself for the incoming battle. I doubted that the caveat would be light. I pulled my IFAK from my inventory and attached it to my tactical rig. I put away my M249 and returned to the usual G36 and MRAD that I usually used. A new waypoint appeared on my map, at a location twenty-five kilometers away from our assassination target. The helicopter was outside of the town. Were they that eager to get the helicopter? Possibly. Elene entered the driver¡¯s seat and I entered the passenger seat and we rolled away. Chapter 20: Stealing Mil Mi-35 "Hind" Helicopter ¡°Abandoned, huh?¡± Elene commented. The four of us lay down on a small hill overlooking where the helicopter was parked. The helicopter was located in the middle of a small outpost, guarded by people in military uniforms with a red flag attached to their arm patches. This was not the Divinity, hell, from the looks of it, they were communists. Well, this might be the Union they were talking about, judging by the combination of AKs and their Eastern type of equipment. From the looks of it, the outpost was hastily made. ¡°Well, can you handle some Union soldiers?¡± Mira commented. ¡°I¡¯ll try,¡± I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°These were no husks.¡± ¡°Yeah, these weren¡¯t. Forget about stealth, I think they have a seer among their ranks,¡± Elene added. ¡°Well, I see thirty Union soldiers. Hey, Healer, you have a spell that can aim bullets, right?¡± Alice asked. ¡°You¡¯re a guardian healer, the class alone is very versatile, to say the least.¡± I nodded. ¡°Great, you¡¯ll be overlooking that outpost alongside me.¡± ¡°Woah, wait a minute,¡± Elene protested. ¡°This woman brought a juggernaut suit, Alice. I don¡¯t think she would be suited as a mere sniper. The two of us will attack the outpost while you and Mira handle the troops that pinned us down.¡± Alice sighed. ¡°That¡¯s what you think, but don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. Ain, listen. I believe you¡¯re capable, but we need to make a quick move on the helicopter. Mira would pair better with Elene. Besides, your MRAD can take out the mage before we even start the assault. What do you think?¡± Honestly, what Alice said made more sense than what Elene had suggested. If speed was the priority, I¡¯d be better off with my large-caliber rifle, providing overwatch on the outpost, especially with the spell that guided my bullets. My .338 rifle would make quick work of anyone in my sights. Let¡¯s not even mention Alice with her humongous rifle whose caliber was bigger than a .50 BMG. I volunteered to stay behind, but something caught my attention. My frame and Elene¡¯s weren¡¯t too different¡ªshe was a bit taller, but she¡¯d have a better chance of surviving in the juggernaut suit. I pulled out my suit and handed it to Elene. Alice gave a thumbs-up as Elene quickly strapped it on. I then passed her the MG-338, completing her juggernaut loadout. Our plan was straightforward: they would bum-rush the outpost from the vicinity of the helicopter, charging in to get it started immediately. Mira would jumpstart the helicopter while Elene took care of everything on the ground. Meanwhile, our job was to act as a distraction for the first minute of the assault, providing covering fire for the team once the action began. ¡°Hey, take this radio,¡± Mira said, handing me a tactical radio. ¡°It¡¯s an AN/PRC-148, set to our frequency. Your tac-name is Jackal 2. Clear enough?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied. Finishing the loadout, Elene then nodded, ¡°Mira, let¡¯s go.¡± Elene and Mira moved quietly, their steps light as they descended the hill, hugging the terrain to stay out of sight. Their silhouette was barely visible if not for the night-vision goggles that I wore on my head. Elene was leading the way. The moment they got closer, the mage had already detected them. The seer¡¯s senses could detect them from afar using psionic detection. However, without a direct line of sight, the seer hesitated, unable to pinpoint their exact location. Alice pointed to me that the seer was the one carrying the radio in his backpack.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Then, just as they reached the edge of the outpost, Mira made her move. With precise timing, she fired a single shot. The bullet pierced the air with a thunderous crack that blew my hair away, and the mage¡ªwho had been searching for them¡ªdropped instantly, the life drained from him before he could react. The thunderous shot rang out, instantly alerting the entire outpost. Chaos erupted as the Union soldiers blindly fired in our direction. Without hesitation, I activated the dark psionic imbue on my sniper rifle, and the world seemed to slow. The dark energy enveloped the bullet, guiding it with precision to its target. Each shot landed with deadly accuracy, my rifle never missing. One by one, Union soldiers dropped, each bullet finding its mark, the headshots clean and efficient. The psionic energy ensured every round was true, cutting down their numbers swiftly. Elene and Mira blasted their way into the heart of the outpost. Elene raised a shield that enveloped the front of her body, her machine gun spitting a relentless stream of fire at the enemy. The soldiers'' bullets bounced harmlessly off her shield, their efforts futile against her defense. Despite the immense weight of the juggernaut suit, Elene moved with surprising speed, charging toward the center of the outpost, making herself the focal point of their attention. Mira, swift and focused, made her way to the helicopter, slipping into the cockpit of the Hind without hesitation. Meanwhile, Elene cast another spell. A glowing white energy surrounded her, amplifying her strength as she continued to mow down the enemy with her machine gun. The soldiers armed with AKs dropped one after another, their ranks thinning under the sheer power of Elene¡¯s unrelenting barrage. She advanced slowly, savoring the fear in their eyes as she taunted them with each step. The constant sound of her gunfire drowned out all else, leaving nothing but chaos in her wake. The Union soldiers were desperate, throwing grenades, explosives, anything to kill Elene, but the spell-enchanted juggernaut suit just shrugged it off. They shouted at the radio, however, it was merely replied with a static. Alice killed anyone that had antennae attached to their body, her large-caliber rifle also quickly destroyed any sign of radar installation and radio antennae, cutting the outpost from any external communication. Slowly, the blades of the helicopter began to rotate. The enemies began to shift their fire at the titanium bathtub, but before they aimed their rifles at the helicopter, Elene quickly dispatched the soldiers with extreme prejudice, ignoring her own safety for her teammates¡¯ safety. ¡°I think these bastards are planning to attack Solimat too,¡± Mira remarked. Alice glanced at her, her voice calm as ever. ¡°What makes you say that?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got enough ATGMs attached to the pylons of the helicopter to wipe out an entire tank battalion,¡± Mira replied. Elene, never one to hold back, smirked. ¡°Well, taking down Belikov would be easy enough, right?¡± ¡°You bet your ass it would,¡± Mira added with a grin. Alice and I continued our unrelenting barrage of bullets at the hostiles in that outpost. Nobody was spared, and Alice killed the last soldier who was still standing with her gigantic rifle. The last thunderous voice marked the end of combat. [Exiting Combat: +4,000 EXP] [Level Up: 14 ¡ú 15] [24 Stats Points Available] [3 Skill&Perks Points Available] ¡°Clear!¡± Elene shouted. ¡°It¡¯s all clear from here too,¡± Alice replied. ¡°Time to get the hell out, let¡¯s move,¡± Mira commanded. Alice and I quickly went downhill. Elene hauled her machine gun with her hands and ran inside the opened cargo bay of the helicopter. Alice and I jumped together into the cargo bay and we took off from the ground, leaving the Union outpost in ruin. The cargo door closed as we departed from the outpost, leaving the ruin for the Union to investigate, well, we just stole their military hardware without them realizing, but it wouldn¡¯t take too long for them to realize what just happened. Elene took off the heavy juggernaut helmet, ¡°That¡¯s one hell of an assault, great work.¡± ¡°Not bad, for a newbie,¡± Alice praised while tapping my back. I surveyed the cargo bay of the aircraft, which was packed with supplies, food, ammunition, and a variety of other items¡ªall of it freshly stolen from the Union. My gaze drifted to the interior of the aircraft, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of awe. It was my first time aboard, and the sight left me astounded. The walls were painted in a light blue, and exposed cabling and hydraulics ran across the space, giving it a raw, utilitarian feel. Two machine guns mounted by the windows stood ready, each loaded with a full belt of ammo, poised to unleash hell at a moment''s notice. The PK machine gun, in particular, would prove invaluable, if it came to that. ¡°Alright, what¡¯s the next plan? Are we going after Belikov?¡± I asked. ¡°No, we will be going after the Uragan launcher.¡± Chapter 21: Going Overkill The helicopter dropped us a considerable distance from the Uragan launcher. Elene quickly briefed me on the missile. The BM-27 Uragan was an old Union weapon¡ªa self-propelled 220mm rocket launcher designed for long-range strikes. It had enough destructive power to obliterate Belikov¡¯s armored vehicle and his escorts. I drove toward the target in my summoned Hilux, Elene seated on the back, still clad in her juggernaut suit. The radio communication made things far easier than before, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit tactical with the device attached to my bulletproof vest. ¡°Jackal 2, this is Hunter team,¡± the voice crackled through the radio. ¡°We¡¯ll be going after Mosley, give us five minutes.¡± ¡°Loud and clear, Hunter actual, Jackal 1 out,¡± Elene replied. An NLAW lay on the passenger seat, and I grabbed it before we launched our assault on the missile launcher. The BMP was going to be a serious pain if left unchecked, and I preferred to avoid any unpleasant surprises on this assault. I couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy. Maybe the excitement began to wear off as responsibility and risk came into play, but I just felt uneasy about assaulting this launcher, knowing that the launcher was too easy in retrospect. The plan was simple. The helicopter would eventually provide us with support, but Elene told the team to take care of Mosley first before we engaged with the Uragan launcher. The security was merely two BMPs, so there was that. After six minutes of driving through the concrete jungle, we arrived just a few hundred meters away from the first BMP. My finger was on top of the NLAW¡¯s trigger. I could feel the weight of the missile and the responsibility on my shoulders, literally and figuratively. Both of us were hiding behind the corner of a building, waiting for our trump card. ¡°Relax, we need to wait for our support first,¡± Elene tapped my shoulder. ¡°I know, but still, it¡¯s a fucking BMP,¡± I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. The thought of facing one of those things head-on made my stomach twist. The 30mm autocannon on that beast would tear through us like paper if it even got a chance to lock on. And if it had thermals¡­ we¡¯d be sitting ducks. ¡°Panic can kill you, you know,¡± Elene said, trying to downplay the situation. I gritted my teeth, trying to push the anxiety out of my mind. ¡°Yeah, I know. It¡¯s just¡­ risky.¡± ¡°Well, you know, back when those Airborne people were still here, we have thirty targets, so¡­ we are merely finishing the jobs. Maybe it¡¯s the main reason why they cut down the amount of force,¡± Elene said.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. I nodded. I observed the marker where Belikov and Mosley were. Seconds later, Mosley¡¯s marker was gone, indicating that the helicopter had already taken care of him and they would return to our position shortly. I kept my finger steady on the trigger of the NLAW. Then, the faint noise of the helicopter rotor came into my ears, giving me the confidence that I needed to pull the trigger. Inside, I prayed that the NLAW would take care of the BMP quickly and disable it so they could have a safe passage to the launcher. All or nothing. I pulled the trigger of my anti-tank-guided missile. The missile flew out of the launcher, exploding right on top of the BMP, destroying its turret. The BMP turned into a burning ruin shortly, after the ammo on the turret bustle combusted. ¡°Follow me,¡± Elene signaled, quickly charging toward the road with the MG-338 in her hands. I ran right behind her, looking at the apartment building surrounding us for any sign of hostility, but so far, I hadn¡¯t seen anyone who would prove to be hostile. We ran past the wreck of the BMP, through the courtyard of the apartment building, and toward the park where the rocket launcher was stationed. ¡°Hunter actual, you¡¯re free to fire at any hostile located far from the launcher,¡± Elene commanded. ¡°Copy that, Jackal 1, opening fire,¡± Mira replied. A barrage of rocket salvos flew toward the park, making a bunch of explosions spread thinly across the park, but far from the launcher. The explosions threw several bodies off the ground as we made our approach toward the large rocket launcher. I supported Elene with my G36, making an accurate shot at the enemies firing at her. I imbued my weapon with the dark psionic energy again, making sure that each shot was leading directly at my target, either hitting them in the torso or in their head. As we pushed through the park, the sound of gunfire and explosions filled the air. The helicopter¡¯s autocannons were relentless, cutting through any opposition in their path, making our progress smoother. With the guards neutralized, we moved toward the Uragan launcher. Elene opened the cabin of the command room for the launcher. She pressed the multiple buttons on the launcher, inputting the coordinates for the strike. The 220mm rockets located behind the cabin slowly rotated toward Belikov¡¯s direction. She pressed a button, and I heard a faint beep. Then, one by one, the rockets launched with a deafening roar, shooting out of their tubes and cutting through the air, each leaving a thick trail of smoke in their wake. The sound of the launch echoed in my ears, the power and force of it vibrating through my chest. ¡°FUCK YEAH!¡± I shouted, the rush of excitement surging through me as the rockets ripped through the air. It felt like an explosion of pure adrenaline, and for a moment, I was lost in the thrill of the attack. The rockets flew smoothly, towards the night sky. The excitement quickly died down as Elene left the cabin. I wondered what kind of carnage that the rocket would bring. Then, a moment later, the marker where Belikov used to be disappeared into thin air, ending the whole mission. Elene tapped my shoulder, ¡°You¡¯ve done well, girl. Let¡¯s go home.¡± The Hind picked us up from the ground just right after the launcher fired all of its rockets. Then, the Hind destroyed the launcher itself with one of its attached ATGMs. The launcher exploded with a single ATGM and the helicopter left the town¡¯s airspace. [Provide Medical Support For Task Force 404: 1/1] [Quest Complete: +800,000 UC] [Current UC: 1,054,947 UC] Chapter 22: Mission Complete I observed the darkness of the night through the small window of the hind. Elene was taking off the juggernaut suit from her body before giving it back to me alongside other things. The helicopter continued to fly across the night sky. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± I asked, still catching my breath from the action. Elene glanced at the wreckage of the Uragan launcher, then back at me. ¡°We probably just need to repack what we brought. That¡¯s it. After that, let¡¯s head back to camp.¡± She paused, her expression unreadable, before adding, ¡°Oh, and we need to blow up the JLTV.¡± Alice¡¯s voice came through the radio, cutting in. ¡°Already done.¡± Elene raised an eyebrow, a slight grin forming on her lips. ¡°I see you¡¯ve crossed the Rubicon after all. Going with the plan to take the attack helicopter, huh?¡± Alice¡¯s response came in a cold, almost detached tone. ¡°Well, the way I see it... with our little ¡®misconduct¡¯ several months ago, we¡¯ll be discharged at the end of the day. In fact, if not for this bold move, I doubted we would still be alive. So, at the very least, I prefer to have this attack helicopter with us¡± Her words hung in the air, the weight of them settling over us like a cloud. There was no mistaking it¡ªwhatever consequences they faced, it must be terrible. Still, this squad wasn¡¯t exactly someone I knew previously. Camaraderie could build up in less than a day, maybe this was the case for us. Despite the tension, the close calls, and the calculated risks, we had become a team. Maybe it was the shared danger or the adrenaline that bound us together. Sure, it was merely three days for me, time-wise, but if I wrote a book about it, it could be hundreds of pages that I had written. After all, I was a mere anesthesiologist-in-training turned mercenary in under a day thanks to dying in the real world. Not in my wildest dream I would be working with the equivalent of special forces in this world, much less working side-by-side with them, but fate seemed to tell me otherwise. Still, it was a blast working with these people. Mira then intervened in my thought, ¡°We¡¯ll be landing shortly, Ain.¡± ¡°Can you help us pack our tents and bags?¡± Elene asked. ¡°Sure thing,¡± I just shrugged my shoulders. The Mi-35 landed on the opening where the tents were. Mira landed the helicopter smoothly on the opening and switched off all of the engines after she opened the door leading to the cargo area. After landing the helicopter, we quickly packed all of the tents. We folded the tents, poured any leftover fuel that could be used for the helicopter into the helicopter, and threw away that couldn¡¯t. The leftover ammo was also put inside of the helicopter alongside with few weapons that they gladly donated. ¡°Fun fact, we are here to support the airborne force to do their suicide mission,¡± Alice said. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah, after all, this operation was our gamble for something¡­¡± Elene was reluctant to tell it. ¡°Ok? Well, what are you going to do next then?¡± I asked as I lifted the crates into the helicopter. ¡°Probably report back to our officers, then, let¡¯s see where the future will take us,¡± Elene said. ¡°Maybe, we will be moving to other realms, or working here as contractors. I¡¯m not too sure, being a contractor sure as hell looks enticing.¡± ¡°Well, best of luck, then.¡± ¡°Thanks, Ain. Hey, do you have a phone or something? I might contact you in the future,¡± Elene said.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. I gave her my iPhone and she typed me a number. She saved it in the contact with her own name. I wondered what these three people would do next. Still, with their kind of skillsets, I had no doubt that they would rack in the cash quicker than I would. We loaded up in the helicopter again and flew away from the encampment, now abandoned without any trace of our presence. The helicopter gained more altitude as they moved toward the Federation¡¯s territory. I sat down on a decrepit fabric chair of the helicopter. The fatigue of the operation began to take a toll on my body as the sun arose on the horizon. I didn¡¯t know how long it would take me to arrive at Ludmilla, but well, a little bit of sleep wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone. I then closed my eyes. "THREE DAYS. THREE DAMNED DAYS, ANGEL, DU BIST ECHT EIN VERR¨¹CKTER, WEISST DU DAS, ANGEL?" Wilhelm shouts, staring at the helicopter at Ludmilla¡¯s airfield. "HOLY SHIT, YOU ALREADY GOT AN ATTACK HELI?!" The task force left the helicopter there, heck, they only left me a note that they would contact me soon before I even woke up, and tell me to do whatever I want to the helicopter. What left me was a bewildered Wilhelm as he shook his head while his handlebar mustache wrinkled under the extreme surprise he got. Well, I would be surprised if I got an attack helicopter myself. Wilhelm shook his head in confusion. Maybe three days was too fast for a fresh contractor to progress, I guess? Still, I had been through a lot of things, at least, in my mental image, it had been more than a month with this shenanigans even though it merely took three days. It was a miracle that I was still alive at this point. ¡°Ok, what do you want to do with it? Sell it? Insure it? What?¡± Wilhelm asked. ¡°Any advice?¡± I asked. Then, a soft small footstep approached the two of us from behind. Wilhelm immediately turned his head backward, and I followed suit, revealing the beautiful goblin that wore a suit that always attended the bar in the guild building. Who else but Eleanor? ¡°Impressive,¡± she nodded. ¡°You, earth people, are somehow always surprising.¡± [Funds Transferred: 1,054,947 UC ¡ú 1,074,947 UC] ¡°The laptops you brought had some sensitive data and dirt about the Federation¡ªnothing I didn¡¯t already know,¡± Eleanor said, her voice sharp with authority. ¡°Still, this is for your trouble. Now, tell me, how exactly did you manage to bring a Mil-35M gunship into my village, dear woman?¡± I exhaled a heavy breath and started to recount the madness. The insane job, the Federation¡¯s betrayal, leaving their own soldiers to handle impossible missions¡ªmissions that succeeded only through sheer luck and relentless determination. As I spoke, Eleanor listened intently, her expression unreadable, nodding occasionally, as if confirming what she already suspected. It was a strange moment¡ªalmost surreal, the way she absorbed the chaos like it was just another Tuesday. But this was Eleanor. She¡¯d been through worse. She was a level 100 contractor, she was another Case, if I had to say. ¡°That¡¯s why the Federation pays contractors so much,¡± Eleanor said with a wry smile. ¡°You guys are practically unkillable. As for the Union, well, they rarely, if ever, employed contractors. So, there¡¯s that.¡± Eleanor then looked at Wilhelm, ¡°How much is that Hind?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Wilhelm was bamboozled. ¡°With the content, the machine gun, and stuff? It¡¯s 8,250,000 UC.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lot of money,¡± I commented. ¡°How much would it take for her to insure it?¡± Eleanor asked. ¡°1,600,000 UC, 20% rate, as usual,¡± Wilhelm added. Eleanor then tapped me on my shoulder, even though her hand barely reached it. ¡°I suggest you sell that helicopter. If you crash it, you¡¯ll lose all of your money. This is just a bit of friendly advice from a fellow contractor, what do you say?¡± Eleanor¡¯s point was fair. For what would I need the helicopter if I couldn¡¯t pilot it at all? The tactical advantage that I would get was real, but what would be the use of it if I couldn¡¯t even pilot it? With that in mind, I decided to just sell it. ¡°Deal.¡± Eleanor then nodded at Wilhelm, ¡°Do it.¡± Wilhelm sighed, ¡°Sure thing, that¡¯s what I¡¯m here for.¡± [Funds Transferred: 1,074,947 UC ¡ú 9,374,947 UC] ¡°It¡¯s nice doing business with you,¡± I smiled, looking at the credits that I got. Wilhelm, still looking a bit stunned, gave a low whistle. ¡°I¡¯m glad you decided to sell. That¡¯s one hell of a payout for a few days¡¯ work.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile a little, feeling the weight of the last few days pressing down on me. The money was nice, but it wasn¡¯t about that. It was the chaos, the impossible missions, the insane risks¡ªand somehow, I had made it out alive. And here I was, still standing, still breathing. That had to count for something. ¡°I guess the world of mercenaries is really something else,¡± I said, mostly to myself. Wilhelm then teased, ¡°Are you going to buy a tank now, girl?¡± He smiled. Eleanor then gruntled, ¡°Wilhelm¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m just kidding, or am I?¡± He smirked. Eleanor then sighed again, she then pulled Wilhelm away from me, ¡°Have a nice day, Ain.¡± Chapter 23: $9,000,000, or Rather, 9,000,000 UC Name: Ain Class: Adept Guardian Healer [BY THE LOVE OF GOD, HOW FAR HAVE YOU GROWTH?] Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 70 ¡ú 70 Agility: 40 ¡ú 40 Vitality: 100 ¡ú 100 Aptitude: 100 ¡ú 124 If you want to put it that way, here I was¡ªsitting in my hotel suite, or maybe it was a bunker, who knows, watching a TV screen from the comfort of an expensive bathrobe with a glass of wine on my right hand. The room was massive, way larger than my dorm back on Earth, and far more luxurious than the cramped hospital bunk they had provided me. The window, or rather, the ultra-high-definition screen that stretched across the wall, gave me a panoramic view of a beautiful grassland I didn¡¯t even know where. The amenities were top-notch, enough to make anyone feel like royalty. I mean, the welcome drink was an expensive chilled Pinot Noir. The bathroom had a large square jet bathtub that could fit four people, and the bed was a king bed that felt as comfy as a cloud. The air conditioning was also perfect. Honestly, if I wanted to, I could spend the rest of my life just lounging in this luxury. What more could I ask for? I had more than enough to live comfortably for the rest of my days¡ªmaybe even multiple lifetimes. The sheer ridiculousness of it all made me want to pinch myself. 9,000,000 UC. Almost the same as 9,000,000 USD. I wanted to scream in excitement. I could hardly wrap my mind around it. Three days. That¡¯s all it had taken for my life to flip upside down and drop me straight into this whirlwind of fortune. Hell, I might just explode from sheer happiness. It was absurd. How was any of this even real? Heck, the rules of this world didn¡¯t even make any sense anymore, but why should they? I¡¯M RICH, and that¡¯s what matters. I raised a glass to myself, then sipped my wine slowly, savoring the moment. If this was what David had, no wonder he casually gave away an iPhone and a GPNVG-18 without a second thought. Was this what the Federation¡¯s founders meant when they talked about the ideal heaven? A place where you only had to put in a little effort for an overwhelming reward? Maybe. But honestly, I had no idea. If God existed in this world, this might just be what I¡¯d call ideal. Not everything was handed to you on a silver platter, of course. There¡¯d be excitement, and the rush of struggle, but in the end, the rewards were staggering for anyone who managed to get there. Still, considering how military-centric this world was, maybe the dreams of success really were about shooting military hardware at people, or in this case, corrupted Union soldiers. I checked my inventory to see what I had, and it was a lot of things, necessary or not. Lots of bullets, some food, and the pudding recipe that I got from my first job. Hmm, maybe I would need a base-of-operation after all to store all of the items. [Inventory - 200/350 kg] [9,073,947 UC] [Weapons][Vehicles][Armor/Equipment] Yeah, six anti-tank guided missiles, a shitton of bullets, and more, not to mention the juggernaut suit, the machine guns, and more. Still, I wanted to spend my money wisely. I was thinking of buying a tank, but it wouldn¡¯t be as mobile as I hoped it would. Maybe a regular JLTV with remote turrets would serve my purpose. I merely needed something that could shoot at something from the comfort/safety of my armored vehicle. It would be the cheapest option, upgrading a bit, and you¡¯d go to an APC-level, which put the option to either a Stryker, LAV, or something else. Bottom line, I didn¡¯t have the money for it, but I was willing to sacrifice 400k UC for something that was better than the Hilux in terms of protection and off-road capability. Maybe I would talk to Wilhelm first, but make sure that he didn¡¯t rip me off by offering the most expensive option available for me. It meant that my journey had only begun. Still, at least, if I wanted to enjoy a boring quiet life in the periphery, I always had the option to, or I could build my own country, have my own kingdom, or something among that line, just like Eleanor became a guild manager just for shit and giggles. I removed the thought for a while, sipping the wine slowly and deliberately, letting the soft background jazz carry me to the dream world. I put the glass away and moved to my bed. It was way better than the previous bed, that was for sure, and slowly, but surely, I closed my eyes, and let myself wander into the dream world. ¡°And what can this old guild lady do for you, dear angel?¡± Eleanor asked, half-mocking, half-caring, but the moment I handed the gelatinous things that I gathered into an empty tray alongside the recipe she had given earlier, she already gave a very loud sigh. ¡°Can you cook your pudding?¡± I asked. Eleanor sighed, ¡°Are you seriously asking me, a level-100 contractor, to cook a Jell-O for you?¡± ¡°How can I dispose of the slimy thing, then?¡± I asked.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Eleanor walked over to the counter, placed the tray of gelatinous substances I¡¯d gathered, and picked up a small pot. ¡°Alright, alright, I''ll make your damned pudding,¡± she muttered, rolling her eyes but still moving with a practiced hand. ¡°But don¡¯t expect me to work any magic with this¡ªI''m not some kind of miracle chef, you know.¡± I chuckled, watching her with mild amusement as she set to work. The recipe I¡¯d gotten from her was absurdly simple, but there was something satisfying about it, maybe the nostalgia of simple things in a world that constantly threw chaos at you. Eleanor busied herself with the various ingredients, tossing things together with an ease that made me think she had done this a hundred times before, even if she acted like it was beneath her. The exposed kitchen just made it really obvious that the goblin used to be a cook, or at least, cook a lot of things before she became this rich. She might be someone like me, someone who was from another world and then got transmigrated into this place due to reasons. ¡°You know,¡± I said, leaning against the counter, ¡°I never would have imagined that I¡¯d end up like this. A Fallen Angel, barely three days in, surrounded by military-grade tech and people like you.¡± Eleanor glanced up at me, her lips curling into a knowing smile. ¡°Yeah, I figured you''d say something like that. Welcome to the world of contractors, kid. You think you''re just here for the easy ride, then the next thing you know, you''re neck-deep in everything but easy.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I said with a grin, ¡°but at least I¡¯m not alone in it. There¡¯s something... oddly comforting about it all. Like, despite everything, this mess just feels like home. Strange, right?¡± She snorted, ¡°Strange? No, that¡¯s just how it goes. This world doesn¡¯t make sense¡ªmight as well make your peace with it now. You¡¯ll either learn to roll with it or burn out trying to figure it out.¡± She moved the pot off the heat and stirred the gelatinous mass, giving it an appraising look. ¡°Not bad, actually. Who knew you could follow instructions well enough to get a decent pudding?¡± ¡°That looks and smells good, actually,¡± I said, looking at the chocolate pudding. I laughed, even though the thought of how much my life had changed in such a short amount of time was still kind of overwhelming. If someone had told me just a few days ago that I¡¯d be drinking expensive wine in a luxury suite, commanding a military helicopter, and dining with a level-100 goblin PMC¡­ I would have laughed in their face. She poured the content into several trays and then put it inside the room-size freezer before slamming the door close. ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, my tone genuine. ¡°No problem,¡± Eleanor replied. ¡°Hey, look, I¡¯m planning to have some sort of place where I can put my item, do something with it, you know, the works,¡± I said. ¡°Oh, you wanted a safe house?¡± Eleanor asked. ¡°Sure, I can give you. Which kind of safehouse that you want? Wait, ever since you got here, I noticed that you always look for something a little bit¡­ luxurious. Tell you what, I have this safehouse, similar to the suite downstairs, but with more amenities, what do you say?¡± ¡°How much?¡± I asked. ¡°Just 500,000 UC, cheap, right?¡± Eleanor said. ¡°Cheap? That¡¯s expensive as hell. Can I see the unit first?¡± I asked. ¡°Alright, follow me young angel, and let me show you something cool,¡± Eleanor said. Eleanor pulled a small remote from her pocket, pointed it at a space, and, all of a sudden, kaboom, a portal appeared out of nowhere. Yes, a freaking fucking portal. Well, more like a rectangular door that opened to a place that was located in a different dimension and time, but definitely a portal. Eleanor gave me a knowing look as if she¡¯d done this a thousand times before, and I was just another newbie in awe of something she considered mundane. The portal shimmered in front of us, a swirling mass of light and distortion, the edges fluctuating like some kind of rip in reality itself. "Don¡¯t just stand there like a stunned idiot," she said with a smirk. "Come on, let¡¯s go." I couldn¡¯t do anything but stare at the portal. My mind was still trying to catch up with what I was seeing. One moment, I was in a cozy guild hall, waiting for a chocolate pudding, and now¡ªnow I was staring at an interdimensional gateway like it was just another Tuesday. The sheer absurdity of it all was almost comical. "You... you just made a portal?" I managed to ask, still blinking in disbelief. Eleanor raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching. "Did you expect anything less? I¡¯m a level-100 contractor, remember? I can do more than just bake pudding and talk shit." "Right," I muttered, trying to wrap my head around it. "And you¡¯re just casually opening interdimensional doors like it¡¯s no big deal?" "Well," she shrugged, "once you¡¯ve been around long enough, things like portals lose their excitement. Now, come on. We¡¯ve got business to take care of." Another dimension? Eleanor was already halfway through the threshold, waiting for me. I took a deep breath and stepped forward. The moment I crossed the threshold, I felt it¡ªa shift. The air was heavier, yet somehow easier to breathe, carrying an unfamiliar weight that didn¡¯t feel oppressive, just... different. Everything around me seemed slightly off, but not in a way that sparked fear. Instead, it piqued my curiosity, pulling me deeper into this strange place. The house before us had an aura that was hard to describe. It was large, with an open garage, and surrounded by endless grassland. From the outside, it looked ordinary¡ªexactly what you¡¯d expect from a suburban home. Hopefully, nothing unassuming would be inside. "This is a safehouse¡ªa pocket house, to be exact," Eleanor explained, her tone matter-of-fact. Eleanor took me inside of the house. The wooden door opened outward, revealing a beautiful living room with a large couch and a big fireplace accompanied by a large television screen. The air conditioner automatically turned on the moment I stepped inside the house. "This is the living area," Eleanor said, waving a hand toward the room. "You can relax here, catch up on some entertainment, or just zone out for a while. It¡¯s a little too lavish for my taste, but it¡¯s comfortable enough.¡± I nodded, still taking in the details. The smooth marble floors reflected the warm light of the fire, and the white-dominant walls made everything look clean and modern. The color scheme was minimalist¡ªmostly whites, with hints of gray and silver in the furniture, giving it a sharp, contemporary feel. The kitchen was impressive, to say the least. It was spacious and modern, with dark granite countertops that gleamed under the soft lighting. Everything from the fridge to the oven was top-of-the-line, and there was no shortage of cooking utensils. It was a chef¡¯s dream¡ªplenty of counter space, an island in the center for food prep, and shelves stocked with every possible ingredient you could imagine. ¡°You know what, I¡¯ll take my words back, this is too immaculate for a mere $500,000,¡± I commented at the lavishness of the house. ¡°Well, the moment you got this house, you can expand it. After all, this lavishness is yours, I¡¯ve seen David make his own operating theatre in his own house,¡± Eleanor commented. Every room had its own en-suite bathroom, complete with sleek showers, modern bathtubs, and enough towels to start a spa business. The bedrooms themselves were each unique, but all had one thing in common: they were holy shit too extravagant for someone who once used to survive with instant ramen. Finally, Eleanor led me to the last room on the tour¡ªa study, or perhaps a library, filled with ancient texts and modern tech side by side. The shelves were filled with books of every kind, from leather-bound classics to sleek digital tablets. However, it didn¡¯t only stop there, the library was connected to an empty room, large enough to probably make another living room. I already had several ideas on what to do with this room, maybe turning it into a place where I could test my guns, or craft some potions. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s it for the house, comment?¡± Eleanor asked. ¡°I¡¯ll take it, but can you help me?¡± I asked. ¡°Shoot,¡± Eleanor said. ¡°You said we can expand the safehouse, what do you mean by that?¡± I asked. ¡°In your inventory menu, there would be a new tab called safehouse, there would be several options to upgrade the house, you¡¯ll love it,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°So, will you take it?¡± ¡°Deal,¡± I said, knowing that I could earn this kind of money easily later. Chapter 24: Fiddling With The Safehouse [Inventory - 200/350 kg] [9,073,947 UC] [Weapons][Vehicles][Armor/Equipment][Safehouse] The moment I purchased this house, I noticed a lot of things. First of all, my Hilux appeared in the garage of the safe house. Then, the empty room was filled with all of the items that I put inside the [Weapons] and [Armor/Equipment] tab, consisting of the juggernaut suit that I didn¡¯t wear alongside my ballistic vest, not forgetting the machine guns, assault rifles, and more. It seemed that my inventory was stored inside of this house if my guts told me the correct things, which hopefully was. I walked around the previously empty room, grabbing, and occasionally, looking at the weapons that I had while listening to the jazz in the room. I pressed [Safehouse], looking at the tab that showed me the list of upgrades of the things that I could get in this safe house. For the most part, I already got it leveled up enough, all things considered, and this house was expensive as hell. [Bedroom Level: ??????] [400,000 UC To Upgrade] [Bedroom Level: ??????] [200,000 UC To Upgrade] [Living Area Level: ??????][100,000 UC To Upgrade] [Kitchen Level: ??????][200,000 UC To Upgrade] [Workshop Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] [Armory Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] [Training Room Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] [Meeting Room Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] [You Can More Rooms, But The Price Is Adjusted To The Current Max Level Of The Room] It was more straightforward than leveling up. The maximum level was six, and I already had the essentials. I thought of adding an armory or a workshop, but at the moment, I was really happy with having my own house. I never had any, heck, even my parents always rented their place, moving from one place to another. Eleanor also gave me this remote, a simple remote that was similar to a smartphone. Press the unlock button, and a portal to your last previous location will open, press the lock, and the portal will close, as simple as that. Not only that, but I also could travel to different realms with this. The downside was that the portal would open for ten minutes in the middle of a combat situation, so it wasn¡¯t as much of a crutch as one would expect. Eleanor told me that it was one of the crutches that rich contractors used. So, she said, that when a portal opened, expect heavy firepower from the other side. She also told me that a hostile contractor could expand the portal size, bringing heavier firepower to his side. There was a max size on how much a portal could expand, of course, but it was huge enough to pass an entire battalion of soldiers to your side, or skeletons, in Eleanor¡¯s case. Think of it as your own pocket world. Why don¡¯t you try to travel to a different realm with the remote? As for the different realm, that was another matter. If I was inside of a combat situation, the realm would block me from crossing, so I needed to be in the clear, not stopping there, but I would need to wait for 48 hours before I could cross the other realm. It was a minor inconvenience, but well, say, I robbed a bank in another realm, I just needed to move it into my realm, and bingo, I would be home free. It was simple, but Eleanor also warned me, that some realms might not have this feature, preventing me from entering my realm completely when in combat, or waiting for a few minutes for the portal to charge up. However, when in Eleanor¡¯s world¡­ I simply pressed the button, and a portal materialized, revealing the guild¡¯s interior. Before Eleanor could react, I closed it again, enjoying the annoyance in her eyes. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, knowing just how overpowered I was in this world. If this were a Call of Duty lobby, I''d be that guy who would get flooded with slurs¡ªslurs that, if I ever repeated them in an autobiography, would probably get me canceled. I had a literal aimbot, slow-motion cheats, and a damage buff. What more could I possibly need? I then put away the G36 that I held. I could be so much more, I still wanted military vehicles, tanks, helicopters, jets, and even mechs if possible.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. With this safe house, I didn¡¯t have to worry anymore about ammunition or anything. I could just go back here, restock, and hopefully, come back alive. I threw away the NLAWs that I put in my inventory to significantly reduce the weight of my inventory. Looking at my bank account, I still needed more money. It was time to take a more ridiculous request, and hopefully, get much more than that 800,000 UC. First of all, though, I needed a vehicle. Right, time to get to the guy playing German¡¯s Kaiser. It¡¯s time to grind. I pulled out the remote and got out of the portal, into the guild building. ¡°Wel¡ª¡° I immediately ran away from the door with a newfound purpose. I approached Wilhelm, and as usual, the depot was empty. The man was moving crates from one rack to another. The moment he saw me, his eyes were glowing. ¡°Ah, my best customer has arrived, what can I do for you?¡± Wilhelm asked, smiling. ¡°Your only customer, you mean?¡± I asked. Wilhelm sighed, ¡°High-level contractors tend to forget who supplies their first escapade, I hope you¡¯re not one of them, dear angel. Now, now, let¡¯s get you started, I have a brand new main battle tank, freshly arrived from the mainland, an M1A4 Abrams, 140mm cannons, 30mm autocannons, enough room for three people.¡± ¡°How much?¡± ¡°Twenty million,¡± he replied. I sighed, ¡°Wilhelm, I think a regular APC with autocannons would do for me, or in fact, anything with big guns will be good enough for me.¡± Wilhelm grinned. ¡°So, Stryker MGS? Boxer? LAV VIII? What are you thinking? What kind of APC do you need?¡± I raised an eyebrow. The names Wilhelm mentioned sounded like high-end options. I wasn¡¯t looking to spend a fortune on something flashy¡ªjust something that would get the job done. ¡°Are those the top-of-the-line? You¡¯re not going to drain my bank account, are you?¡± I asked, trying to keep it light. Wilhelm laughed. ¡°It¡¯s not like that. Sure, I could get you an old BMP-60. It¡¯d be easy to take down with small arms fire, like M995 or M993, or even an MG-338 machine gun. But if you go for the higher-end stuff, you won¡¯t have to worry about that kind of fire. And don¡¯t get me started on explosives. But here¡¯s the thing¡ªthis is the contractor¡¯s special.¡± I wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°Okay¡­ and?¡± ¡°Now, imagine you¡¯re stuck riding in that vehicle, in the dark, with no thermal imaging or night vision. Good luck. Without those, you¡¯ll just be sitting in an armored coffin,¡± Wilhelm continued with a laugh. ¡°But if you get something like the LAV VIII, it¡¯ll protect you from most threats. We¡¯re talking small arms, even up to .499 Alpina rounds or a 25mm autocannon. But the real top-tier options are things like the Puma 3 or CV90 Mk VII. They have Active Protection Systems, they can handle 40mm AP rounds and more, but they¡¯re way out of your budget, my sweet angel,¡± Wilhelm teased. ¡°So...?¡± I swore under my breath. If Wilhelm was good at one thing, it was confusing his customers with a bunch of military jargon. You would be so sure of what you would buy, and Wilhelm would somehow sway you to buy a more expensive thing. ¡°So, I think you¡¯ll be better off spending on something¡­ expensive,¡± Wilhelm winked. ¡°Alright, two million, and not more!¡± I said, trying to press the hard limit before Wilhelm made another sales pull to sell me something. ¡°Tracked or wheeled?¡± Wilhelm asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡­ Could you just give me a name? ¡°Price-wise?¡± I replied, trying to focus on what really mattered. ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s see. Wheeled is usually cheaper, but I must warn you¡ªnot all wheeled vehicles are armored well. Most autocannon protection is found in tracked vehicles, with only select wheeled ones offering decent protection. Let¡¯s think¡­¡± Wilhelm paused, then pulled out his phone. ¡°How about a Marder 1A5? It has thermals, a decent enough autocannon, competent armor, and can carry 5 people... maybe a bit more.¡± ¡°In monkey¡¯s language, please?¡± I said, trying to simplify things. ¡°It has enough boom, can withstand small boom, and can carry enough monkeys,¡± Wilhelm said with a grin. ¡°How much?¡± I asked, now getting to the point. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ You said two million max, right? The base price is 1,800,000 UC, and then I can add some customizations¡ªbetter thermals, multi-ammo capability, and boom.¡± Wilhelm paused for effect. ¡°Or¡­¡± ¡°You could get a Puma, which is way better than the upgraded Marder. It offers all-around 30mm autocannon protection and ATGMs. I could even throw in some upgrades, like the MG5-EF, MK-30-EF Autocannon, and Gen VII FLIR. And all of that for a special discounted price for my special angel,¡± Wilhelm added, flashing a grin. ¡°How. Much?¡± I asked, narrowing my eyes. ¡°8 million,¡± Wilhelm smiled. ¡°EIGHT? DUDE, that¡¯s almost all of my money!¡± I protested, shocked at the price. Wilhelm sighed dramatically. ¡°Fine¡­ 7.5 million with insurance, but if you buy now, you get that price. If you wait, you¡¯re paying the full 8 million. Make your choice. I can assure you, any mission will be a breeze with that thing.¡± He seemed to be selling it at a loss, but I wasn¡¯t ready to part with that much just yet. ¡°Ain, c¡¯mon, I can assure you, if you find a T-72, you¡¯ll win in this thing,¡± Wilhelm continued, leaning in like he had me on the edge. ¡°I heard during the mission you piloted a tank too, right? Well, if you¡¯ve been in the other seat, you know what I mean. Did I mention the infinite ammo? Well, with a cooldown... but you get my point, right?¡± His sales pitch was relentless, and despite my skepticism, I could almost feel the temptation to go for it. Almost. It was tempting as hell, though. An ATGM better than the NLAWs, a gun that outclassed my MG-338 or MRAD, and the ability to practically tear down anything that wasn¡¯t a tank. Oh. My. God. The temptation was real. ¡°1,200 rounds per minute of pure 30mm destruction, and a 1,800 RPM, psionic-cooled MG5. C¡¯mon, Ain, you and I both know you want this thing. Oh, did I mention the upgraded engine? 120 km/h of pure steel,¡± Wilhelm pressed on, leaning in with a grin. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll buy it.¡± [Congratulation: Puma IFV Has Been Added To Your Garage] [Funds Transferred: 8,874,947 UC ¡ú 1,372,947 UC] Suddenly, in front of the depot, a large IFV appeared out of thin air. The Puma just appeared in front of the depot without any warning. I was astonished by the size of the IFV alone, it was more similar to a tank, heck, I didn¡¯t recall the Divinity had a tank this large. Their biggest vehicle was their T-72, and it wasn¡¯t that big either. ¡°Enjoy yourself,¡± he nodded. Chapter 25: My First Armored Vehicle - Puma IFV I entered the IFV, and it felt strange as I walked through the back ramp. From the outside, it looked cramped, but once inside, the space was surprisingly roomy. The legs had more room than I¡¯d expected, like the dimensions inside and outside didn¡¯t quite match. It was as if I could fit two large beds side-by-side in here. Definitely not the kind of space where my knees would touch my comrades on the other side. And the entry to the commander¡¯s and the driver¡¯s hatch was a literal door. I opened it and stepped into a small room, reminiscent of the one in the Abrams, complete with VR gear and controllers. But here¡¯s the thing: when I opened the vehicle menu, the hatch automatically closed, and I couldn''t help but laugh a little. The reason was kind of funny in its own way. [Vehicle] Yes, I could switch the controls between XBOX, PC, Playstation, semi-realistic, and realistic. How the hell was this even possible? I cycled through each option, opening and closing the hatch. The workstation changed each time, from a PSVR setup to a literal PCVR gaming rig mouse-and-keyboard with the vehicle-style chair, and finally, the complex realistic Puma controls, just like the real thing with screens, tactical terminals, and other military controls. I set it back to the controller setting, knowing that I was most familiar with that, and I jumped into the small space, wore the goggles, and grabbed the controller, and behold, the IFV showed me a third-person perspective. I could switch up ammunition, vision(between normal, thermals black/white, and night vision), and the gun fired. It was amazing, I felt like having the firepower of the whole country at my fingertips. On the bottom left, as usual, there was the vehicle health in gear icon, accompanied by the ammunition left before it had to reload aka the cooldown. [30mm Ammo: ABM-AP 300/300] [Spike-LR: 4/4] [MG3: 1,200/1,200] ¡°HEY, AIN! FORGOT TO TELL YOU, BUT THE RELOAD IN THAT THING TAKES 8 SECONDS. I SUGGEST YOU ALWAYS PRE-RELOAD YOUR GUNS! HAPPY HUNTING!¡± Wilhelm shouted. The small figure gave a thumbs-up as I glanced around the world from inside my IFV. It was¡­ amazing. I moved the vehicle with the joystick, following the action in the third person. I was already used to playing War Thunder on the XBOX, so the controls felt as natural as breathing. Heck, I could also change the camera. I moved my IFV closer to the guild building. A small figure walked out of the entrance. I switched to my sight and zoomed in to 5x magnification. The face of the formally dressed goblin was hilarious. First, her mouth hung open in shock, then she just shook her head in disbelief. I edged the vehicle closer and parked it, almost blocking the entrance. Eleanor gave me a look¡ªone of someone too tired of someone else¡¯s antics. Fair enough. I climbed out of the vehicle and walked over to her. ¡°Pretty cool, huh?¡± ¡°HOLY SHIT, GIRL¡­ I swear, Wilhelm should get a promotion from the Federation or something. That guy can sell a broken pen for a fortune,¡± Eleanor sighed, though I could tell she was secretly impressed with Wilhelm¡¯s sales skills. ¡°Come inside for more job stuff, as usual.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± Eleanor moved back to the guild¡¯s desk and I walked to the quest terminal, looking for something with a little bit more¡­ spice. I had a thing with an autocannon right now, any job shouldn¡¯t be hard, should it? I browsed through the menu, once again.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. [Kill The Attacking Drakes and Provide Medical Support To a Village: 800,000 UC] [Rescue The Group of Doctors From a Monster Infested Village: 2,300,000 UC] [Attack the Divinity¡¯s Armored Vehicle Column: 2,500,000 UC] [Bring an Intact Topol-M ICBM From The Union: 5,000,000,000 UC] [Steal a B-20 ¡°Raider¡± From The Federation: 2,500,000,000 UC] [Support The Extermination of a Dragon¡¯s Lair: 1,200,000 UC] ¡°Eh¡­ why would you need an ICBM?¡± I asked. ¡°Huh? Did you get that request? Weird¡­ that¡¯s supposed to be something a higher-level mercenary would usually get. Whatever, you probably need to penetrate deep into the Union¡¯s territory anyway, something you are impossible to do at the moment,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°Ok¡­¡± ¡°Kid, high-level contractors steal ICBM like candy, and yes, I once stole an ICBM myself, but we never did it again, the risk is too great, and usually, whoever bought it, usually bought it for shit-and-giggles,¡± Eleanor commented. ¡°Alright¡­ that¡¯s scary.¡± ¡°I think Wilhelm sold it,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°Really?¡± I asked, in disbelief. ¡°Girl, if you want a three billion-dollar mech aka a steel frame, Wilhelm is your guy,¡± Eleanor further commented. ¡°Alright,¡± I answered, already understanding what Eleanor meant. Wilhelm had everything was her point. After all was said and done, I felt that the mission in which I had to rescue a group of doctors from a monster-infested village sounded enticing. Still, the Drake mission, despite its small payout, might prove to be a better way to prove the worth of my IFV. The armored vehicle destruction was too much of a gamble. Sure, I had an ATGM that could attack at a range of beyond four kilometers, but it was still a gamble. So, in conclusion, it was better to do the Drake mission. [Kill The Attacking Drakes and Provide Medical Support To a Village: 800,000 UC] ¡°Hmm, good choice,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°Why?¡± I turned my head toward her. ¡°Well, my little sister¡¯s there. She¡¯s... diabetic, and she¡¯s just old enough to receive an artificial pancreas,¡± Eleanor explained. ¡°I see,¡± I said, walking to the counter. Eleanor then put a red duffle bag on the counter. Then followed by a metallic box that was marked as sterile. There was a ¡°DO NOT OPEN¡± text right on top of it, I assumed, it was the artificial pancreas. Well, I wouldn¡¯t be able to install that, that was for sure. ¡°I am supposed to pick this up and deliver this to the village, but well, circumstances arose. The village is 120 kilometers south of here, I mark the coordinate on the map, after you clear the area from drakes, I¡¯ll drop a surgeon on top of you, alongside a medical team,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°Sounds simple,¡± I said. ¡°I hope it is as simple as it could be, I don¡¯t think the villagers are any good at fighting,¡± Eleanor added. ¡°Are you talking about a goblin village?¡± ¡°My village? Yes. They aren¡¯t as modernized as previously expected,¡± Eleanor sighed. ¡°Ah well, that¡¯s a remote village not directly under the Federation¡¯s supervision anyway. I¡¯ll put the coordinate on your map, good luck, sweet angel.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± I said. I put the duffle bag into my inventory alongside the metal box. It didn¡¯t feel any heavy at all when I put it inside of the inventory. Eleanor again thanked me for taking the request and I exited the guild building and entered my IFV. Then, as I entered the IFV, suddenly, I saw Wilhelm running out of the depot. Wilhelm appeared, carrying a stack of paperwork in one hand and a headset in the other. ¡°Hey! AIN! Get that thing out of the way! We¡¯ve got a mission briefing in five!¡± I quickly entered the hatch and moved the IFV out of the way. Well, it was not every day you¡¯d see Wilhelm in such a hurry. I drove the IFV away from the base, and the weapons on the IFV became available to fire. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to fire it somewhere, right? I spotted a slime out in the open, lazily bobbing along the grassland. Even while the vehicle was in motion, the target tracking system was surprisingly smooth. The autocannon¡¯s turret moved autonomously, zeroing in on the slime with pinpoint accuracy. I pressed a button on the console, and a burst of 30mm rounds erupted from the gun. The shells exploded mid-air, a stream of rapid-fire filling the air. The slime didn¡¯t stand a chance. The blast from the airburst munition obliterated it in an instant, leaving nothing but a scorched patch of earth where it once was. ¡°Alright, this is going to be a cakewalk,¡± I muttered, a grin spreading across my face as I watched the remains of the slime smoldering in the grass. Chapter 26: The Guild Masters Village The IFV roared down the concrete road, effortlessly reaching a jaw-dropping 100 km/h. Whoever engineered this upgrade clearly wasn¡¯t messing around. This wasn¡¯t just any Hilux¡ªit was a 60-ton military vehicle and the fact that it could even come close to something that fast was mind-blowing. It felt like a machine built for sheer power and precision. What was even more bizarre, though, was how smooth the ride was. The IFV glided through the turns, cornering with a precision I didn¡¯t expect from something so massive. I had expected to feel at least some resistance or wobble, especially when I turned sharply, but there was nothing¡ªno jarring motion, no unsettling body roll. It was like the vehicle itself was glued to the road, or even more accurately, it was like the cockpit was suspended in a world of its own. Inside, it felt like I was floating in a bubble, disconnected from the world around me. I doubted I¡¯d notice if the whole vehicle flipped. The way the controls responded, so effortlessly and intuitively, made it almost surreal. And the weapons¡ªoh, the weapons¡ªwere something straight out of a science fiction novel. The MK-30 30mm autocannon was an absolute beast. The rate of fire was blistering, sending a rapid series of rounds screaming downrange with the kind of efficiency you¡¯d expect from a machine designed to tear through anything in its path. Then there was the MG3. The thing practically roared to life when I fired it, its rate of fire so fast it almost seemed to outrun the sound. Soft targets didn¡¯t stand a chance. Each pull of the trigger felt like unleashing a storm, the power of the weapons syncing seamlessly with the IFV¡¯s otherworldly handling. I could fire the autocannon and MG3 almost in tandem, turning the surrounding terrain into a field of destruction. It was perfect¡ªthere were no words to fully capture what I was feeling. As I continued to drive, I cycled through the vision modes, switching between normal, thermal, and night vision with ease. Each mode provided a new layer of clarity, revealing different aspects of the battlefield¡ªthermal showed heat signatures, night-vision lit up the darkness with a ghostly green hue, and the normal mode gave me the clearest view of the surrounding terrain. Every so often, I switched to the ¡®sight¡¯ camera, which offered a jaw-dropping 50x magnification. The precision was incredible. Through the sight, distant targets became razor-sharp, making long-range engagements feel effortless. ¡°Damn, it feels like playing War Thunder, but way better in all aspects, hell, I spent less time grinding for Puma in this world than in the game,¡± I commented, feeling how great it was inside the armored vehicle. I didn¡¯t know what the village would look like, but the drake would be dead the moment they noticed this thing. They wouldn¡¯t be able to shrug off an autocannon, right? I meant they were still little dragons, all things considered, but well, let¡¯s just see. The distance to Eleanor¡¯s village was ten kilometers left. I hadn¡¯t detected any meaningful heat signature so far, nor had I noticed any of the husks in the surrounding grassland shooting at me or not. They might be not as stupid as I thought, I meant, you wouldn¡¯t shoot your puny rifle at an armored vehicle, would you? I continued my drive, the smooth rumble of the IFV underfoot, when I came across a roadblock. Two pickup trucks were parked side-by-side, creating a crude barricade, and a handful of soldiers stood guard. At first, everything seemed normal. But as I zoomed in with the camera, something felt off. The soldiers wore the familiar Federation uniform, but there was something about their movements¡ªjerky, unnatural¡ªthat immediately raised a red flag. As I focused further, I noticed the bloodstains smeared across their clothing, some fresh, some dried. Their eyes were wide and unfocused, and their posture was stiff as if they couldn¡¯t fully control their own bodies.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Husks,¡± I muttered to myself. I switched the ammo to high-explosive incendiary and peppered the checkpoint with the autocannons. The pickup trucks were shredded into pieces from the high-explosive rounds. About the husks? The impact was brutal¡ªlimbs were torn off, torsos shredded. The autocannon¡¯s powerful bursts didn¡¯t just kill them¡ªthey obliterated them, turning the husks into a cloud of blood, gore, and charred remains. [Exiting Combat: +800 EXP] ¡°Only that much exp, huh, well, whatever, not bad for a speedbump,¡± I commented. The Puma continued rolling down the concrete street, slamming against the pickup truck wreckage without a care in the world with its sheer weight, continuing its journey to the target¡¯s village. The body of the vehicle crashed against the pickup truck with a loud bang and the road was cleared again. I didn¡¯t bother to loot the enemies. I doubted that I would be able to sell the loot in the village, and at this point, it was pocket¡¯s change. The tracked vehicle moved against the concrete road, before finally taking a turn leading into a paved dirt road. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder, what kind of village I would encounter. A place where I wouldn¡¯t be able to find electricity? A tribal goblin village? A village with a bunch of wooden huts? Or what? I wasn¡¯t sure. The feds might struggle to expand to this area if my assessment was correct, evident by the husks and other monsters I encountered on the journey. The village took me by surprise. Nestled in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by the grassland, it looked more like a modern suburban neighborhood than the primitive, backwater settlement I had imagined. Neatly paved streets crisscrossed between rows of well-maintained houses, their uniformity and design reminiscent of a typical suburban area. Well, if not for the goblins on top of the rooftops looking over their houses and a bunch of weapon placements, from a mere M2 machine gun to TOW missiles, scattered among the whole neighborhood with goblins manning it, not stopping there, but I could see the drakes coming from a direction, from the east, straight from the forest. ¡°Welp, fire away,¡± I said. The moment the words left my mouth, my fingers instinctively gripped the controls. The autocannon roared to life, sending a hailstorm of high-explosive incendiary rounds screaming toward the incoming drakes. The 30mm autocannons shredded against their scales. The impact was explosive¡ªliterally. The HEI rounds erupted on contact, the force tearing through their natural armor like it was paper. Chunks of scale and flesh were blasted away, scattering like shrapnel across the battlefield. The first drake let out a deafening roar of pain as its chest caved in under the barrage, crumpling mid-charge before collapsing in a heap of blood and scorched remains. I swung the turret toward another drake, the shot striking it dead on impact. The goblins shifted their attention to the incoming IFV, momentarily surprised by my sudden appearance. But their focus didn¡¯t linger. They quickly returned to firing at the approaching drakes. I swapped the autocannon¡¯s ammunition for airburst rounds. The turret clinked and clanged as it automatically made the switch. I set the range to auto, letting the computer¡¯s targeting system take over for the airburst munition setting. From there, the process was flawless. The wave of drakes emerging from the forest was shredded before they even had a chance to react, even when I fired blindly in their direction. I continued the massacre, ensuring not a single drake escaped the forest¡¯s edge under the fire of my 30mm autocannon. I continued my advance toward the village while having the autocannon aim at the left side of the village, continuing my attack on the drakes. Then, as I approached closer to the village, I took a turn to the left to approach the source of the drake. I then parked my IFV right near the west entrance of the village, firing my autocannons at the slightest sign of moving heat signature on my vision. Even the cold-blooded giant reptile had a slight heat signature that differentiated it from the environment. The drakes stopped advancing as their numbers dwindled, their charred bodies littering the ground like discarded husks. The few survivors from the forest slinked back into the shadows of the forest, but not before the 30mm autocannon gunned them down and killed them. [Exiting Combat: +5,000 EXP] After the exiting combat notification closed, a new notification appeared in my vision. It was an update to the quest that I took. [Kill The Attacking Drakes and Provide Medical Support To a Village: 800,000 UC] ¡°Time to get out of this thing.¡± I drove the IFV into the village, parking it beside a house. But as I stepped out, I quickly realized the "welcoming committee" wasn¡¯t quite as friendly as I¡¯d hoped. Chapter 27: The Villages Problem The moment I stepped my feet outside of my IFV with my medical bag slung against my back, I was immediately greeted by the ends of multiple gun barrels from a bunch of tactical goblins. The description wouldn¡¯t come into my mind if you told me earlier, but well, here I was. The whole village aimed their weapon at me, from a mere SMG held by the goblin women to the heavy weapons on the rooftops, heck, even one of those goblins aimed an RPG in my direction. Heck, it was not merely a tandem-charge RPG, but also accompanied by a BGM-71 TOW missile launcher. Whatever they wanted from me, I hope it wasn¡¯t my death. ¡°Easy guys, I¡¯m friendly, the guild master sent me,¡± I said, raising both of my arms, slowly approaching the goblin that aimed an M4 right at my head. ¡°Eleanor sent me.¡± ¡°Eleanor? The little girl Ele?¡± One of the goblins asked me. I nodded. ¡°Lower your firearms, this girl ain¡¯t with the feds!¡± the same goblin shouted. Instinctively, the entire goblin village lowered their firearms. Rifles were no longer aimed at me, and those on the rooftops redirected their RPGs toward the grasslands encircling the village. The goblin leader stepped forward, and for the first time, I took a good look at his attire. Tactical goblins. A whole squad of them. Somehow, I¡¯d missed the details of their clothing at first, but now it was clear: these goblins had nailed the tactical aesthetic better than I ever could. The leader¡¯s gear was impressive¡ªa FAST helmet perched snugly on his head, a plate carrier strapped securely to his chest, and a full set of G3 combat uniforms that frankly outclassed my own kit. His weapon of choice was a straightforward AR-10, configured for full auto. Glancing around, I noticed that the other goblins were just as well-equipped. Assault rifles dominated their ranks, and even the women carried compact SMGs slung over their shoulders. Perhaps it was the constant threat of danger in this region that necessitated such armament, but I couldn¡¯t say for sure. ¡°Name¡¯s Albert, what¡¯s yours?¡± The goblin asked, shaking my hand. ¡°Ain, my name is Ain,¡± I replied. [Albert -- Merchant Goblin ¡ª Level 40] ¡°Welcome to our humble village, Ain, sorry for the rough welcome, but as you can see, it¡¯s hard to be independent these days, especially ever since those people from Divinity start wreaking havoc here and there, and there¡¯s the feds¡­¡± Albert commented. ¡°I¡¯m just here to deliver the meds, alongside administering it,¡± I said. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re the wandering healer she is talking about, huh, I see, I should thank her for the help,¡± Albert added. ¡°Please, follow me, there¡¯s a clinic near here, our healer is currently¡­ injured, so you¡¯re our best bet.¡± Albert led me through the heart of the goblin village. The tactical edge of the goblins wasn¡¯t just limited to their gear¡ªevery corner of the village reflected a meticulous and almost military-grade organization. Sandbag barriers were set up strategically, and the rooftops of most structures had mounted guns or snipers keeping watch. The heaviest armament of the bunch was the TOWs and Kornets. Stepping into the village felt less like entering a peaceful settlement and more like walking into an insurgent compound. Almost everyone carried a weapon, yet the goblins didn¡¯t exude the aggressive, rebellious energy one might expect. They were armed, yes, but they went about their business with a surprising sense of normalcy, as though weapons were just another part of daily life. What caught my eye, though, was the industrial building in the village. Large and imposing, they stood out against the backdrop of smaller, more traditional structures. Parked beside one of these facilities was a military truck, its size and rugged design hard to miss. My curiosity deepened as I watched goblins methodically load crates onto the truck. The contents of those crates left little to the imagination. Bullets¡ªthousands of them¡ªgleamed under the faint light, and another crate bristled with freshly packed M4 rifles. It didn¡¯t take much to piece together what was happening here. ¡°So, Albert, what¡¯s this village¡¯s specialty?¡± I asked, keeping pace with the goblin as we walked through the bustling streets. ¡°Arms,¡± he replied bluntly. ¡°We¡¯re one of the main suppliers for both the feds and a few independent groups.¡± He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. ¡°But don¡¯t get the wrong idea¡ªwe¡¯re not beholden to anyone. We value our sovereignty here.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s a dangerous line to walk.¡± Albert smirked. ¡°Sure is. That¡¯s why we don¡¯t make deals unless they¡¯re worth it. The feds like to toss around promises and shove security guarantees signed by their lowest-ranking pencil pushers. We¡¯re not biting unless they bring something real to the table.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°Smart,¡± I said. ¡°Here¡¯s the clinic,¡± Albert pointed out. The clinic was a small white building with the word Clinic painted above its entrance and a green cross emblazoned on its fa?ade. At first glance, it seemed modest¡ªnothing out of the ordinary. But on closer inspection, modest felt like the wrong word entirely. This place was remarkably well-equipped, evidenced by the black-and-red UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter parked on the rooftop. Why they¡¯d perform surgeries here instead of transferring patients to a more specialized facility was beyond me. Perhaps the region¡¯s dangers made travel impractical, or maybe this village preferred to handle things on their own terms. Whatever the reason, I wouldn¡¯t find out today. Eleanor had mentioned she¡¯d be sending a team of surgeons soon. Until then, my job was simple: wait, assess the situation, and be ready when they arrived. Eleanor paid me for treating the patients, nothing more, nothing less, and I suspected the huge payout was due to the drakes that I sorted out earlier. I entered the clinic with my medic bag. The patients were already lining up, a bunch of goblins, from children to adults with a plethora of different injuries and diseases. A goblin nurse was doing her best, but it was evident she was overwhelmed. ¡°Are you the healer?¡± the goblin nurse asked. ¡°I am,¡± I nodded. ¡°Great, I¡¯ll send the patient to you soon,¡± she said. I headed to the examination room and began unpacking my bag, arranging its contents into the medical cabinets. The supplies inside were standard fare¡ªnothing extraordinary. Painkillers no stronger than tramadol, basic antibiotics, and a few specialized medications like lansoprazole for acid reflux and lisinopril for high blood pressure. Eleanor hadn¡¯t been exaggerating when she said I¡¯d be here for a while. The line of patients outside the examination room seemed endless. I sighed, resigning myself to the reality of the situation. Ah well, might as well settle into the role of a regular doctor for a while. It wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone. Nightfall brought a gradual decline in the stream of patients. A few had been admitted as inpatients, while the rest were sent home with treatments or advice. Most of the children suffered from common ailments like diarrhea and fever¡ªnothing out of the ordinary. Workplace injuries were the most frequent cases among adults, but a few stitches and a well-placed healing spell usually resolved those quickly. I had learned a few things during the day. Sutured wounds healed faster than those left open, even with the aid of a healing spell. Interestingly, the spells had their limits¡ªthey couldn¡¯t cure diarrhea or address stomach acid issues. Those still required conventional medicines, but the spells did excel at alleviating pain, a small mercy for the patients. Eleanor hadn¡¯t contacted me yet about the surgical team¡¯s arrival. With the clinic finally closed for the day, I leaned back in the chair, propping my feet up on the desk. The room was quiet now, save for the occasional cough or shuffle from the patients who required longer-term care in the room. The nurse stepped into the room, offering a tired but sincere smile. ¡°Thank you for your help,¡± she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. ¡°It¡¯s been a rough week trying to care for the whole village on my own.¡± I nodded, leaning back in my chair. ¡°It¡¯s no small task, that¡¯s for sure. What happened to the previous doctor?¡± She sighed. ¡°He¡¯s being revived, but I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯ll take for him to return. He was always too adventurous for his own good. Last I heard, he was shot by the Divinity while searching for a missing goblin child with a group of our militia.¡± I frowned. ¡°The Divinity again. They¡¯ve been nothing but trouble. Sounds like they¡¯re just as much of a pain here as they were back in Solimat.¡± ¡°You bet they are,¡± she replied bitterly. ¡°The Divinity is responsible for most of the chaos around here. They¡¯ve somehow managed to attract every monster imaginable, and worse, they can turn dead bodies into husks. The increased intensity of monster attacks in this area? That¡¯s all of them. When I was a kid, our village wasn¡¯t this militarized. We didn¡¯t have to be.¡± ¡°That explains why everyone¡¯s armed to the teeth,¡± I said, the memory of crates filled with ammunition and military-grade weapons still fresh in my mind. ¡°You guys are practically a well-armed, small military base. You know that, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to the Guild Master,¡± she replied with a faint smile. ¡°Eleanor?¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s her,¡± the nurse confirmed. ¡°I remember when we were kids, we used to play together. Things were so much simpler back then.¡± Her expression softened, her gaze drifting as if caught in the pull of old memories. ¡°We both went into healthcare¡ªshe chose necromancy, and I went into nursing. The rest, as they say, is history.¡± ¡°She¡¯s done well for herself,¡± I remarked, intrigued by the connection. ¡°She has,¡± the nurse said, her voice carrying a distinct note of pride. ¡°Despite everything, I¡¯m proud of her. She¡¯s always been the type to get things done, no matter how impossible they seem.¡± She paused for a moment before adding with a curious tone, ¡°I even heard she has more than a hundred billion UC in assets. But that¡¯s just a rumor, isn¡¯t it?¡± I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the figure. ¡°A hundred billion UC? That¡¯s¡­ quite the number. If it¡¯s true, I don¡¯t even know what I can say.¡± The nurse shrugged, a slight smirk on her face. ¡°Who knows? Eleanor always had a knack for pulling off the extraordinary. It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if she¡¯d amassed a fortune like that, but at the same time, rumors tend to stretch the truth.¡± ¡°Well, considering the state of this village and how well-organized everything is, it wouldn¡¯t be far-fetched to think she¡¯s got some serious backing,¡± I said, thinking aloud. ¡°Even the clinic has equipment most cities would envy.¡± ¡°True,¡± the nurse admitted. ¡°She¡¯s poured resources into this place, that¡¯s for sure. Whether it¡¯s billions or just good connections, she¡¯s made a huge difference here. Some of our village elders despise her, though. They said she sold her soul to money, or something like that. It was not until Albert took over that everything significantly improved. That¡¯s what really matters.¡± ¡°Hahaha, yeah.¡± Suddenly, a siren blared. The loud noise alerted the two of us and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what just happened. ¡°Doc, I think we have an attack.¡± Chapter 28: Wyvern vs 30mm Autocannon The air raid siren wailed relentlessly as I stepped out of the clinic, hastily fastening my ballistic vest and adjusting my helmet. The chaos outside didn¡¯t offer much clarity, only a gnawing sense of unease as I tried to piece together what was happening. My answer came in the form of a deafening backblast from a TOW missile, followed by a fiery explosion in the grassland beyond the village. ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± I muttered to myself before spotting a goblin with an RPG slung over his shoulder. I hurried over to him. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I asked. ¡°Drake attack,¡± he said grimly, shifting the weight of his weapon as his eyes scanned the horizon. ¡°I think it¡¯s a big one this time.¡± On his back, I noticed a pack loaded with rockets¡ªprobably five, maybe more. The sheer preparation spoke volumes about the severity of the situation. ¡°They don¡¯t usually sound the siren like this,¡± he added, his voice tense but steady. ¡°Must be something worse than the usual.¡± I looked out toward the grasslands where the smoke from the TOW missile strike was still rising. Ok, I didn¡¯t really want to find out unless I was inside of my armored vehicle. I immediately dashed toward my Puma IFV and opened the rear door with a flick of a switch on my remote. The back ramp of the IFV opened and I immediately jumped inside, in the midst of all of the chaos and carnage surrounding me. I wasn¡¯t really aware of what was going on, but I sure as hell felt better inside of this armored vehicle that might be able to resist an attack from one of the TOWs above my head. I switched my thermal vision on, turning the darkness of the night into something of a black and white, giving me a better impression of the village surrounding me. The third-person camera gave me a good perspective of the people surrounding me. I moved to the sight view and moved to the street leading out of the village. I parked my vehicle close to the exit of the village and zoomed on my thermal sight. I saw drakes, lots of them, to the point where my sight became convoluted by the bunch of them. Heck, the thermal display painted a lot of things: drakes with thick, glowing signatures leading the charge, accompanied by the seething mass of ancient wolves, oversized rats, and¡ªflying goblins? My brain struggled to make sense of the madness. Whatever those flying creatures were, they darted through the air with alarming speed, their outlines erratic and predatory. ¡°Holy shit, opening fire,¡± I muttered out loud. With a press of the trigger, the 30mm cannon roared to life, spitting armor-piercing rounds into the night. The recoil reverberated through the Puma as the shells burst into bunch of tiny fragments, making small fireworks as each round flew into the crowded grasslands. I observed the carnage as the autocannon shattered each target with extreme prejudice, leaving nothing but splash of blood and meat on its leave. Giant rats burst apart in flashes of red, while the ancient wolves howled in agony before falling lifeless to the ground. You really could argue that these threat was nothing in the face of the 30mm autocannons. The goblins also supported the IFV with their TOWs and heavy machine gun raining down on the incoming creatures. Bunch of explosions were scattered across the entire grassland, killing anything that dare to approach this village. ¡°FUCKING WYVERN, GET THE STINGER!¡± A goblin shouted. I scanned the sky through the turret, searching for any telltale white heat signatures. Then I saw it¡ªa dragon-like figure, its massive wings flapping ominously as it circled above us. A wyvern. It was right overhead, and I needed to act fast. Pushing the Puma forward, I maneuvered to get a better angle for the shot. The vehicle¡¯s engine growled as I repositioned, keeping my sights locked on the flying threat. Once I had a clear line of fire, I adjusted the airburst distance on the ammunition settings, ensuring the rounds would detonate mid-flight for maximum effect. The autocannon began its reload sequence, the mechanism humming as fresh 30mm shells were chambered. On my display, the progress bar for reloading ticked upward¡ªa painfully slow wait when a wyvern loomed above. My fingers hovered over the controls, ready to unleash hell the moment the system was primed. ¡°Just like sniping those KA-50s, Ain,¡± I muttered under my breath as a green targeting box appeared around the flying wyvern. A circular predictive reticle tracked just ahead of it, showing where I needed to aim. I adjusted the turret carefully, aligning the gun with the projected flight path, my finger tightening on the trigger.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. The 30mm autocannon roared to life, unleashing a ferocious burst of rounds. The stream of bullets cut through the air like blazing streaks of light, the sharp crack of each round reverberating through the vehicle. Smoke billowed out from the barrel in bursts, coiling around the Puma as I held the trigger steady. Scales shattered like glass, and the creature¡¯s body jerked violently mid-flight as the shells tore through its torso. Sparks flew as the airburst rounds detonated in perfect synchronization, the explosions peppering the wyvern¡¯s hide with fiery tungsten fragments. Blood sprayed from the gaping wounds in its side, glinting in the night like dark rain. The wyvern faltered, its flight path collapsing as it spiraled downward in a desperate, chaotic tumble. The final barrage struck its head, splitting its skull with a sickening crunch. The creature¡¯s roar cut off abruptly, replaced by the dull thud of its lifeless body crashing into the ground below. ¡°That¡¯s one fake dragon to deal with,¡± I thought to myself, focusing back at the incoming threats. I launched the ATGMs at the forest, and let the auto-tracking do the rest. The missiles flew out of the launcher, then stroke the group of flying goblins, killing them and scattering their bodies all over the grassland. As I waited for the autocannon to reload, I let out a burst of bullet from the suped-up MG3, the small bullets came out of the barrel of the machine gun, flying at the grassland, forming a wall of lead that would kill anything on its path. The grasslands began to quiet as the horde stopped its assault. The drakes¡¯ roars faded into distant echoes, and the howls of the wolves were silenced one by one. Smoke and the acrid scent of burning flesh filled the air as the last of the horde was cut down. Through the thermal sight, I scanned the battlefield for any remaining threats. The once-cluttered display was now clear, save for the heat coming from the fresh dead bodies that soon lost its heat. The air raid siren finally died down, leaving an eerie silence in its wake, only to be interrupted by a notification. [Exiting Combat: +19,300 EXP] [Level Up: 15 ¡ú 18] [72 Stats Points Available] [15 Skill&Perks Points Available] The absurd amount of experience I had earned felt almost unreal. I hadn¡¯t broken a sweat from the back of the Puma¡ªjust pressed a few triggers, and the horde ahead had vanished in a haze of firepower, all thanks to the autocannon, machine gun, and ATGMs. It was almost too easy, almost¡­ cheating. But damn, was it satisfying. This IFV was turning out to be the best investment I¡¯d ever made. Name: Ain Class: Adept Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 70 Agility: 40 Vitality: 100 Aptitude: 124 [72 Stats Points Available] [15 Skill&Perks Points Available] I opened the interface, my jaw dropping slightly at the sheer number of stat points waiting to be distributed. My fingers hovered over the screen as I tried to decide. ¡°Holy shit, now where do I even put all of this?¡± I muttered, grinning like an idiot. I leaned back, savoring the moment. ¡°This is what I call stonks,¡± I said with a chuckle, watching the blinking numbers on the screen, feeling like I was holding the keys to a treasure. Decisions, decisions. C¡¯mon, Ain, make up your mind. Should I put it on agility? I don¡¯t think so, I haven¡¯t used that stat that much, and for all I cared, strength was the most impactful stat so far, it allowed me to carry more, much more. However, I also thought that aptitude was the core of my class, the higher it was, the better it would be. Maybe, it would be better to split it in two? Name: Ain Class: Adept Guardian Healer Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 70 ¡ú 110 Agility: 40 ¡ú 40 Vitality: 100 ¡ú 100 Aptitude: 124 ¡ú 156 Yeah, that¡¯s more like it. I closed the interface, leaning back to think. Distributing stats was one thing, but choosing skills? That was a whole new level of complexity. The sheer number of options made my head spin¡ªnot all of them were useful, and some seemed downright redundant. I needed something practical, maybe something synergistic with my vehicle. That would make the most sense, right? As I scrolled through the list, three options caught my attention. They stood out, likely because I owned a vehicle. The system must have tailored them to fit my situation, and I wasn¡¯t complaining. Might as well grab all of them, no? Then, upgrade them five times. Now that¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about. I closed the status menu. The battle was over, and the night was still long, still, I felt some kind of victory in my mind, even though these goblins might think that this was only a temporary one. Chapter 29: Finishing Up If I were being honest, the whole affair in the village felt almost too straightforward¡ªstraightforward to the point of being a little underwhelming, at least for my taste. I came in, spent a day examining patients, and before I knew it, a team of replacement doctors was supposedly en route to take over. The payment, though? No complaints there. It was generous, to say the least. Plus, it gave me the perfect opportunity to test out the true capabilities of my armored vehicle. And let¡¯s be real¡ªit was ridiculously overpowered. The thing shredded everything in its path, whether it was drakes, helicopters, or even that small dragon. Now, after the chaos of the assault, I found myself back in the clinic, sitting in the examination room with a steaming mug of tea the nurse had given me as thanks for defending the village. I offered her all my Snickers bars in return¡ªthey were just dead weight for now. Besides, while everyone might have seen my actions as heroic, for me, it was all in a day¡¯s work. And if I were being honest? I had a lot of fun doing it. As I sipped the coffee, the bitter warmth a welcome contrast to the cool night air, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwhere were those paratroopers of doctors Eleanor promised? Two drake hordes, countless enemies down, and still no sign of them. I let out a sigh, leaning back in my chair. I stared at the ceiling above me, letting my thoughts drift. It was surreal to think about how far I¡¯d come¡ªfrom an overworked, underpaid resident to a wandering healer whose wealth might now rival the top 5% of earners in the United States. Heck, I wasn¡¯t even American, so to even match the income of the top 5% in the USA was never in my mind. Still, not enough money to buy an F-15C¡­ Thinking about it, I realized I hadn¡¯t checked my iPhone in¡­ well, forever. Seriously, what would it even look like in this world? Would there still be YouTube or something similar? Maybe some kind of magical app store? Curiosity got the better of me. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and unlocked it with a quick tap of my finger on the screen. Click. The familiar interface blinked to life, its glow cutting through the dim clinic lighting. ¡°Voila,¡± I muttered, half expecting something bizarre. Instead, it looked remarkably normal¡ªnotifications, apps, the works. Yet, a quick scan of the screen revealed a few unfamiliar icons. Intrigued, I started swiping through, wondering if this phone was a real iPhone or the fake version of it. Sure, it had applications that I was familiar with. Still, an application stood out, the application called Chatty with five unread messages, all of which came from David. I opened the application, looking at the message. David: ¡°Hello.¡± David: ¡°Welcome to this world.¡± David: ¡°Haven¡¯t you open the phone?¡± David: ¡°Are you alive?¡± David: ¡°Ain, did you lose your phone?¡± I hesitated for a second. David¡¯s last act didn¡¯t give me a good impression, especially with how he abandoned the whole task force since it wasn¡¯t his job to rescue them, but on another hand, I might do the same if I were him. I sighed, well, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to reply to him, would it? Ain: ¡°Alive.¡± David''s reply was almost instantaneous as if he had been waiting for her response. David: "Ah, good to know. Thought a drake might¡¯ve eaten you. Or worse¡ªforgotten about me." Ain: "Forgotten? No. Annoyed? Kind of. What do you want?"If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. David: "Harsh. I was just checking in. You¡¯re still in the village, right? " Ain: "That¡¯s me. Why? Planning to drop in for a visit?" David: "Funny you should mention that¡­ Look up." I blinked, confused for a moment before the sound registered. A low hum, steadily growing louder¡ªthe unmistakable drone of propeller blades slicing through the night sky. Her eyes darted to the window just as the shadow of an aircraft passed overhead, illuminated briefly by the moonlight. I grabbed my mug of tea and walked outside, my boots crunching on the gravel path. The villagers were already looking up, murmuring amongst themselves as they pointed at the sky. It was a C-130 with a Federation flying right above our head. My phone buzzed again. David: "That¡¯s me. Thought you¡¯d want those replacement doctors sooner rather than later." Ain: "You? Flying a transport plane? You don¡¯t strike me as the type." David: ¡°Hey, if she needs a cheap pilot, I¡¯m always up.¡± The cargo aircraft''s back ramp swung open, releasing a surge of cold air as a heavy container was ejected. In an instant, a massive white parachute unfurled, catching the night wind and slowing the descent with practiced precision. As the container floated down, a group of military personnel leaped from the aircraft, their figures cutting through the air in perfect sync. One by one, their parachutes blossomed against the black sky, forming a stunning constellation of white against the abyssal backdrop. It was quite¡­ a message of the Federation¡¯s power. Still, if the doctors were from the Federation, did that mean the Federation didn¡¯t respect the authority of this village? I wasn¡¯t sure anymore, but one thing seemed clear: if the goblins didn¡¯t open fire on them, then they couldn¡¯t be hostile¡­ could they? A group of soldiers touched down on the grassland just outside the village, followed by a container that landed with a heavy thud. They didn¡¯t have the Federation¡¯s signature blue-and-red flag on their uniforms, but instead wore a strange black-and-white roundel with an unfamiliar symbol. Maybe it was a mercenary insignia, but I wasn¡¯t certain. What I was certain of, however, was that they wore red cross armbands. The soldiers moved swiftly toward the village, weapons in hand¡ªmen and women of various races and sizes. Among them were goblins, elves, ogres, humans, and kins. But there was no sign of David. The goblins seemed just as confused as I was, but they didn¡¯t shoot. Then I spotted Albert at the village entrance, standing as if he were waiting for them. An ogre led the group, gripping a massive M134 minigun with ease. I stepped closer to the support team, eager to find out if they were the doctors I had been waiting for. ¡°The Guild Master sent me,¡± the ogre said. ¡°Welcome to our village,¡± Albert replied with a nod. ¡°Thanks for the warm welcome,¡± the ogre said, returning the gesture with a nod of his own. And you greeted me with RPGs and TOWs, really? I sighed, a little bit of jealousy in my mind, but whatever, I was here for the thrill and the money anyway. Then, one of the support soldiers approached me, the elf asked me whether I had the guild master¡¯s special device or not. I pulled out the sensitive container from my inventory and gave it to the elf. The elf retrieved the container and thanked me for the help. She said the transport was a little bit late, but she was glad that the device arrived on time. ¡°Can you give me the rundown of the clinic? Give me a small brief of the situation,¡± the elf asked. ¡°Sure,¡± I nodded. I escorted her to the clinic, introducing her to the nurse and giving a detailed rundown of the patients'' conditions. She nodded attentively as I explained each case, her demeanor calm and professional. It felt like a familiar routine, almost like being back on Earth¡ªexcept back then, I didn¡¯t have an IFV armed with 30mm autocannons or access to healing magic. Funny how life changes. ¡°Thanks for the help,¡± the elf said with a polite nod, her voice carrying a quiet confidence. ¡°We¡¯ll take it from here.¡± As we reached the front door of the clinic, she turned to me with a gentle smile. ¡°Give my regards to Eleanor, will you?¡± ¡°I will,¡± I nodded. ¡°Have a good one, Ain,¡± she said, before entering the clinic. [Quest Complete: +800,000 UC] [Current UC: 1,372,947 > 2,172,947 UC] ¡°Alright, that¡¯s it for today,¡± I smiled, looking at my bank account. I made my way to the IFV, lowering the back ramp with a press of a button before stepping inside. The familiar hum of the engine greeted me as I climbed into the driver¡¯s hatch, settling into the seat. My destination was the safehouse hidden in the grassland. I figured the goblins wouldn¡¯t appreciate me casually opening a portal to the safehouse right here in the middle of their village¡ªit seemed better to keep that part of my operations discreet. The midnight darkness stretched out before me as I activated the thermal imaging. The world transformed into shades of black and white, revealing the terrain and any potential obstacles that lay ahead. With the IFV''s engine purring steadily, I navigated my way back toward the grassland, the rumble of the vehicle a steady companion in the otherwise silent night. Chapter 30: Back To The Safehouse The safehouse remote was more than just a convenience¡ªit was a crutch. With the press of a button, a portal as large as my IFV materialized before me, its lights cutting through the dark grassland and illuminating the other side, where the sun still shone. I drove my IFV through the portal and the portal closed, shutting the dimension from the outside world. ¡°Ah, home sweet home,¡± I muttered, carefully maneuvering the IFV into the garage. I took my time, ensuring I didn¡¯t scratch the walls or clip the Hilux parked snugly nearby. It still amazed me how this garage could easily accommodate four of these beasts if I counted right. Once parked, I climbed out of the IFV and headed toward the side door that led into my house. The moment I stepped inside, the fatigue hit me like a wave. Without even bothering to shed my tactical rig, I flopped onto the plush couch in the guest room. It faced the television, but I was too drained to turn it on. Sure, the job was exhausting, but the pay? Absolutely worth it. I earned more in a single day than my annual salary could have promised back home. It felt surreal, almost like a dream. Owning a house in my country had always seemed like a pipe dream, with skyrocketing real estate prices making anything beyond a tiny flat feel unattainable. Yet here I was, living in a semi-mansion, with a $500,000 property to my name and a fully armed infantry fighting vehicle parked in the garage¡ªa machine powerful enough to level a small city. Ain, wake up, you still have to wash the grime from your clothes. ¡°3¡­2¡­1¡­, wake up!¡± I stood up from the chair and headed to the bathroom. The white marble tiles reflected the soft glow of the recessed lighting, while the massive bathtub stood as the centerpiece, its edges lined with sleek chrome fittings and a built-in touchscreen to adjust everything from water temperature to jet pressure. I had nothing to say, that thing must have cost in the realm of thousands. No shit, I swear, contractors might be soldiers, but they are quite a snob, aren¡¯t they? I stripped off my grime-covered tactical rig and tossed it into the washing machine in the corner. Turning back to the bathtub, I adjusted the water temperature and set the jets to a gentle pulse. Warm steam began to fill the room as the tub slowly filled, the sound of running water providing a soothing backdrop. I stepped in and let out a long sigh as the heat embraced me, melting away the tension in my muscles. It used to be rare to have moments like these¡ªpeaceful, quiet, and utterly detached from the chaos of having a job. I usually took a short brisk shower in the hospital before running back to the ICU because the hospital announcer constantly announced code blue. I doubted that I would be able to retire happily either. I leaned back, closing my eyes as the jets massaged my back. What should I do next? Drakes and wyverns were clearly not a threat to the autocannons as far as I was concerned. Maybe destroying the Divinity¡¯s armored vehicles would net me a reasonable income, or maybe, I could actually pull off an insane job like stealing military hardware from the Union.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. I also hadn¡¯t explored the possibility of going to another realm. David constantly mentioned that thing, and Eleanor also mentioned that I could cross to another realm, but what would I do there? David said I could do a heist, but for that, I needed a team. Then, a thought crossed my mind, what if I stole something so valuable from another realm and tried to sell it here, it might work, right? I meant these other realms were technically infinite, right? Say, I could steal a tray filled with gold and sell all of them here, I would get an F-15 in no time. I pushed away the thought for now. I chose to focus on the soothing jets massaging against every inch of my body with smooth pulsating water. Yeah, this was life, had I not had more ambitions, maybe I would just settle at this point. The distant beeping of the washing machine pulled me from my thoughts. With a reluctant groan, I sat up in the tub, reaching for the soap to scrub away the day. As much as I wanted to stay submerged in the warm water, there were still things to do. I pulled the note from the wardrobe again and reread it, a bemused smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. Thought you needed some housewarming gift, and sorry for the fiasco in Solimat. -David I folded the note and slipped it into the pocket of my bathrobe, letting my gaze wander over the wardrobe once more. It wasn¡¯t just stocked with military uniforms and flannel shirts; tucked among them were casual clothes as well¡ªpajamas, t-shirts, jeans, even a couple of hoodies. Oddly thoughtful. Practical, even. The kind of wardrobe that would suit someone constantly straddling the line between combat zones and quiet evenings in a mansion-sized safehouse. Still, the gesture was... surprising. Was this David¡¯s idea of a ¡°housewarming gift,¡± or was there something more behind it? Eleanor, ever the instigator, likely had a hand in this. Knowing her, she probably enjoyed meddling from the sidelines, orchestrating these little interactions, like how she could sway Wilhelm. As the guildmaster, she seemed to know everything about everyone, and I had no doubt she¡¯d provided David with my exact clothing sizes¡ªprobably along with a few unsolicited suggestions. ¡°Does he think this is how you flirt?¡± I muttered, shaking my head. A quiet chuckle escaped me as I pulled out a set of pajamas¡ªsimple, comfortable, and somehow just my style. Of course, David wouldn¡¯t half-ass a gift, even if it was just for appearances. Knowing Eleanor, she¡¯d probably approved every item in this wardrobe herself. Changing into the pajamas, I let my thoughts drift. Sure, I could¡¯ve bought all these clothes myself¡ªprobably a dozen times over with the money I was earning. Hell, I could¡¯ve bought out a whole designer brand. But this? This felt different. Personal. Like someone had taken the time to think about what I might actually need, not just what would look good on paper. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll gladly accept your kindness, David,¡± I muttered, running a hand over the soft fabric with a small, amused smile. The pajamas were ridiculously comfortable, the kind of thing that could almost make you forget a day of combat and chaos. The fiasco in Solimat, huh? A faint grimace replaced my smile. Maybe this was his way of apologizing, though the man¡¯s act in Solimat suggested that she didn¡¯t feel any sorry for the task force. Still, the thought was appreciated. Whether it was Eleanor¡¯s meddling or David¡¯s own brand of subtlety, it was a gesture I couldn¡¯t dismiss. With the comfortable clothes on my body, I quickly jumped into the bed and closed my eyes. Chapter 31: Old Friends - Task Force 404 Beep beep beep beep beep. The classic sound of an iPhone alarm jolted me awake. Except, it wasn¡¯t an alarm¡ªit was a call. I blinked a few times, my groggy mind struggling to catch up. I had no idea how long I¡¯d been out, but judging by the light streaming through the window, it was far too late in the morning. I squinted at the clock on the bedside table. 10:00 AM. Great. So much for an early start. My phone vibrated again, the screen lighting up with a call from none other than the leader of Task Force 404. Elene. ¡°What now?¡± I muttered, staring at the phone like it owed me an explanation. Money? No, definitely not that. She didn¡¯t seem the type to call for something so mundane. Besides, it wasn¡¯t payday. I let the call ring out, tossing the phone back onto the bed and rolling over with a groan. Peace never lasted long in my line of work. Barely a second later, the phone vibrated again. Same number. Reluctantly, I snatched it up and pressed accept, holding it to my ear without bothering to sit up. ¡°Yes?¡± I said, my voice laced with irritation. ¡°I thought you were in Ludmilla. Where the hell are you?¡± Elene¡¯s voice crackled through the speaker, sharp and impatient. ¡°Safehouse,¡± I replied flatly. ¡°Get to the guild building. We need you.¡± ¡°For what?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t explain over the phone,¡± she snapped. ¡°Just get here.¡± I sighed heavily, the kind of sigh that spoke volumes about my lack of enthusiasm. ¡°Hmph,¡± was all I could muster before hanging up. Throwing the phone aside, I let out another groan and rolled off the bed¡ªliterally. I hit the cold, hard floor with a thud, the jarring discomfort doing its job. It wasn¡¯t graceful, but it was effective. The shock of the icy tiles against my skin sent a shiver down my spine, chasing away the last remnants of sleep. Lying there for a moment, I stared at the ceiling, wondering what fresh chaos Elene had in store for me. Whatever it was, it probably wasn¡¯t good. Groaning again, I pushed myself to my feet. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± I muttered to no one in particular. Time to face the day¡ªand whatever the wolfkin wanted from me. I walked to the wardrobe to grab a change of clothes, slipping into my military uniform. The faint scent of fresh fabric greeted me as I adjusted the sleeves. I pulled on my bulletproof vest, ensuring the straps were secure, and retrieved my G36 from my inventory. Lastly, I grabbed my combat helmet. Designed with reinforced holes for my horns, it was a snug yet precise fit. I guided my horns carefully through the openings, adjusting the helmet until it sat securely on my head. A quick tug confirmed it was locked in place. I ran toward the garage and grabbed my pickup truck. Starting the engine, I opened the portal and headed straight for the grassland, setting my destination to Ludmilla on the map application. Let¡¯s see what the wolfkin wanted from me. Entering the guild hall, there was Eleanor, in her usual formal fit while opening a large book on her desk. "Ain''t this your crowd?" Eleanor remarked, eyeing the three kins standing near her desk. I met her gaze, a hint of surprise creeping in. I recognized their attire immediately. They were armed to the teeth, which wasn¡¯t surprising, but what caught me off guard was their attire. Gone were their uniforms with the Federation insignia; instead, they dressed casually¡ªquite the departure for former military personnel. If I¡¯m being honest, they were far from unattractive even in their uniforms. Now, they might as well join a pageant if they wanted to. Mira wore a simple black tank top and khaki cargo pants. Elene sported a tan shirt and black cargo pants, giving off a private military contractor vibe alongside shades. Alice, the catkin, was dressed the most casually of them all¡ªjust a t-shirt and shorts. If it weren¡¯t for the plate carriers that they wore, I wouldn¡¯t recognize them as military contractors. I couldn¡¯t deny that their clothing was far more laid-back than mine, but that didn¡¯t make them any less dangerous. I knew better than to underestimate any of them. But why were they here? Was it simply because I had their helicopter? They were contractors, after all¡ªnothing more. "Hey, Ain," Elene greeted me with a nod. "What are you doing in here? I thought you were with the Federation," I replied, still a bit taken aback.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "We were. Didn''t you hear? That was the last of our op. After that, we got discharged, and here we are," Elene explained casually, her white wolf ears on her head twitching. So, they¡¯d been discharged in just two days, and yet they still worked in the military sphere? Given that they''d always talked about becoming contractors eventually, I should¡¯ve seen it coming. But still, why visit me¡ª a low-level contractor¡ª of all people? If they came for the attack helicopters which they gave to me, sorry, it was already gone. I doubted that they would be able to insure it, heck, at this point, they might as well buy a new one, in the grand scheme of things. ¡°So, why come to me?¡± I asked, genuinely curious about what the squad leader had in mind. "Well, for starters, because you''re a capable tactical healer, and we need you, Ain," Elene replied. ¡°I¡¯m sure you can find plenty of healers with a higher level than me, right?¡± I shot back, raising an eyebrow. "Well, Ain, do you have a place where we can talk? I don¡¯t want to have this conversation in the guild building," Elene said. "For what reason?" I asked. "Secret," Elene smiled. I opened my portal, and just like that, the trio barged in without a second thought. Eleanor didn¡¯t even attempt to stop them. I stood there, stunned, as the task force stormed into my safehouse¡ªmy safehouse, the one place I thought I could control. ¡°Nice crib, Ain,¡± Elene remarked with a grin, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as if evaluating its worth. ¡°This could make for a decent base of operations, at least to start with,¡± Mira added, giving a thoughtful nod as she surveyed the space. ¡°Ish, nice house. Bet this came from selling that helicopter, didn¡¯t it?¡± Alice teased, her tone playful as her gaze swept over the room, taking in every detail. Without so much as a word of permission, they tossed their duffel bags, gear, and an assortment of equipment next to my IFV in the garage, acting as though the place was theirs. The casual invasion would¡¯ve been annoying if I hadn¡¯t expected it from this group. Thankfully, a single sharp cough from me was all it took to bring them back to reality. They froze for a moment, glancing my way like kids caught sneaking cookies before dinner. My expression was enough to remind them exactly who was in charge here. ¡°What. Do. You. Want?¡± I asked, cutting straight to the point. No use dancing around it. Elene flashed her signature grin, cocky and unapologetic. ¡°Figured you might need a couple of extra guns.¡± ¡°No,¡± I said firmly, my patience already wearing thin. ¡°Seriously, what do you want?¡± Her grin faded, replaced by a more serious expression. ¡°Alright, fine. Do you remember I said I¡¯d call? I figured a friendly visit might work better.¡± She paused, letting the weight of her next words hang in the air. ¡°Truth is, we need another healer. Mira¡¯s not a full-fledged one. She¡¯s a logistics officer and pilot¡ªfor all intents and purposes. But this job? We need a proper crew. And we need you.¡± I crossed my arms, already sensing there was more to this. ¡°Okay. Anything else?¡± ¡°We¡¯re going to rob a bank,¡± Elene said flatly, as if she were announcing plans to grab coffee. ¡°YOU WHAT?¡± I blurted, disbelief crashing over me like a tidal wave. ¡°Yeah, you heard me,¡± she replied, her tone infuriatingly casual. ¡°We¡¯re tired of living poor. So, we¡¯re taking the contractor route. Hopefully, we can fight the Corrupted, the Union, and the Divinity¡ªbut to do that, we need serious military hardware. And as you well know, serious military hardware costs a shitload of money.¡± I stared at her, my mind reeling. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you want to rob a bank to fund some off-the-books militia?¡± Elene shrugged. ¡°More or less, yeah. Look, it¡¯s not personal¡ªit¡¯s practical. You in, or what?¡± I turned my head, intrigued despite myself. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°There¡¯s this bank, Minute & Trust Bank, in another realm,¡± Elene began her tone serious but with a spark of excitement. ¡°Alice and I scouted the place, and guess what? They¡¯ve got a massive stash of gold in their vault. It might not sound like much at first, but we¡¯re planning to steal some of it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ an insane idea,¡± I replied, shaking my head in disbelief. The sheer audacity of her plan was staggering. Elene smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction. ¡°Come on, Ain. It¡¯s not as crazy as it sounds. Remember, you¡¯ve stolen an attack helicopter and a missile launcher before. This is just another job but in another realm. And that place? It¡¯s basically a haven for heisters. Contractors pull off jobs there all the time¡ªit¡¯s practically tradition.¡± I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. ¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± I said finally, bracing myself for the details. ¡°Alright, glad you¡¯re on board. Now, before we hit the place, we¡¯ve got some shopping to do,¡± Elene continued, her grin widening. ¡°You¡¯re probably thinking, ¡®Holy shit, Elene, you¡¯re tasking me with all this.¡¯ But relax, we¡¯re doing this together.¡± I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Go on.¡± She leaned forward, her tone turning more practical. ¡°First thing¡¯s first¡ªwe¡¯ll need 5,000,000 UC to get started. That covers the essentials: a thermal drill capable of melting through the vault door, which will set us back at least 2,500,000 UC. Then, there¡¯s the escape vehicle, something fast and discrete, about 1,500,000 UC. And finally, logistics¡ªgear, intel, bribes, the usual stuff¡ªthat¡¯ll cost another 1,000,000 UC.¡± I let out a low whistle. ¡°So¡­ 5 million UC for prep. You sure this gold is worth it?¡± She gave me a pointed look. ¡°Trust me. The haul will more than cover our costs. Plus, it¡¯ll set us up for future operations.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± I leaned back, considering her words. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. Sounds complicated.¡± ¡°Complicated, sure,¡± Elene said, shrugging. ¡°But with you on the team, it¡¯ll be worth it.¡± Her confidence was almost contagious, but something told me this was going to be far from simple. Still, the prospect of pulling off a job in another realm was¡­ intriguing. Alice approached me with a smile. ¡°Well, eight hands are certainly better than one. We know you won¡¯t betray us like the feds, and honestly, you¡¯re quite capable,¡± she said, her expression friendly. I shrugged. ¡°Alright, alright. Feel free to use my house as the base of operations, but you better tell me exactly what you¡¯re getting yourselves into.¡± Elene grinned. ¡°Awesome. Here¡¯s the deal, commander. After this job, we¡¯ll follow your request with my tactical consideration. But for this one, the command¡¯s on me. Is that okay with you?¡± I nodded. ¡°Sure, why not?¡± Elene then added, ¡°Feel free to choose any job. You have three of the Feds¡¯ finest in your arsenal. I can assure you, every mission will be a breeze.¡± ¡°Alright¡­ Welcome to my house.¡± Chapter 32: The Plan I had three of the most dangerous people I could find in the whole Federation, I hoped they were as good as I hoped for. I still had to have 2,500,000 UC, and preferably, quickly to be able to help them with the setup, and I already had the perfect job for us. Still, I let them enjoy my house since I felt something different ever since they arrived. The house felt rather... warm since they arrived. Mira was in the kitchen, mostly cooking what she had inside of her inventory, meat that they hunted together. Heck, as I observed, the white-haired woman was butchering a bunch of large horned rabbits in the kitchen with an ungodly sharp knife. Walking to the garage, you would see Alice fidgeting with the IFV, heck, she was taking off the gun from the IFV, the bloody darn autocannon, I just hoped she didn''t break anything on that thing. Still, maybe a combat engineer would know better than me. "Damn, you have an ungodly amount of psionic enhancement on this weapon," Alice commented as she looked over the barrel of the autocannon. "Barrel cooling, velocity enhancer, and cryant barrel, what in the actual hell?" I interrupted her work, "In monkey''s term?" "Your IFV is so good, girl. I mean, it''s barrel alone had extreme cooling property, and overheating would be the least of your concern, if I were you, I''d upgrade this thing into something much more... impressive," She said. ¡°And the fire rate, goddamn, it¡¯s a literal anti-aircraft gun strapped into an IFV.¡± "Like what?" I asked her back. "The barrel alone could be supercooled, and it certainly had more strength than a regular barrel, allowing it to use super pressured ammunition," Alice further explained. "Basically enhancing the projectile''s velocity." "Ok..." "And you can guide bullets, right, so your autocannons are technically self-guiding munitions on themselves," Alice further explained. "Wow, now that''s something," I commented. "It would certainly be useful had, say, a helicopter been dispatched against us," Alice further added before continuing her ''work'' on my vehicle. ¡°Whatever, boss, I¡¯ll follow both your and Elene¡¯s orders, but let me play with your new toys, alright?¡± Alice asked. ¡°If you say so,¡± I shrugged my shoulders. ¡°So, Alice, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, how can I make the fullest of your class?¡± I asked. ¡°I can deal with vehicles, weapons, or anything mechanical, even golems or automata. I deal an increased amount of damage, and most of my magic is designed to repair that thing. However, since I¡¯m also a marksman, you can rely on me if you need a sniper, but never ever ask me to charge with a juggernaut suit, I¡¯ll be dead before you flick your fingers,¡± Alice explained. ¡°So, if I have a destroyed tank, can you fix it?¡± I asked. ¡°Hell no, I said fix, not revive, a destroyed tank is a dead tank, if you have disabled tanks, then yes,¡± Alice added. ¡°I¡¯m just like a healer, but for mechanical things.¡± ¡°Gotcha,¡± I nodded. I re-entered my house. In the middle of the living room, Elene already pulled out multiple blueprints onto the table, I could suspect that she already planned the heist pretty meticulously, knowing her experience as a squad leader first-hand. I wouldn¡¯t call her the best one as a leader, but she certainly had the best interest in her heart. She could be reckless. The black-haired wolfkin then turned her head toward me, ¡°Hey, Ain.¡± I replied, ¡°You know, there¡¯s an option to build a meeting room for this house, I think that¡¯d be the best for us.¡± ¡°Really?¡± She asked back, half surprised. ¡°For real,¡± I said. I opened the [Safehouse] interface and searched for the option to add a meeting room to this safe house. The options immediately gave me the lists of the rooms that I could upgrade, despite the fact that I only needed to build one. [Bedroom Level: ??????] [400,000 UC To Upgrade] [Bedroom Level: ??????] [200,000 UC To Upgrade] [Living Area Level: ??????][100,000 UC To Upgrade] [Kitchen Level: ??????][200,000 UC To Upgrade] [Workshop Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add]Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. [Armory Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] [Training Room Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] [Meeting Room Level: ??????][50,000 UC To Add] I pressed the button to add a meeting room. As soon as I did, a loud construction noise erupted from the far corner of the house, lasting only a moment before it abruptly stopped. I assumed the construction was finished and moved toward the new room. It was situated next to the empty space where my inventory was usually stored. Elene followed closely behind, entering just as I did. The room was simple but functional¡ªa planning board with markers, a cluster of magnetic tabs stuck to its surface, and a table surrounded by four chairs. There was also a rack filled with a bunch of assault rifles, explosives, ballistic vests, and so on. There were also four rugged laptops on the table. ¡°All we are missing is a projector, but this will do,¡± Elene said, putting the blueprints that she brought onto the table. ¡°What¡¯s the general idea?¡± ¡°I was thinking of a stealth approach, but, thinking about it again, well, it¡¯s too slim, and if we fucked up, the plan B is way harder to implement than a loud plan A,¡± Elene commented, attaching the blueprint of the bank into the whiteboard using magnetic tabs. ¡°I see,¡± I nodded, enjoying the view. Elene took a deep breath, then grabbed a marker and began sketching on the blueprint spread out on the table. The faint squeak of the marker against the paper echoed in the otherwise quiet room. She drew a series of lines and circles, marking key entry points, blind spots, and every possible angle that could either be used to launch an attack or defend against the incoming police assault. At least, that¡¯s what she claimed. After marking several critical spots on the blueprint, Elene paused, her hand hovering over the paper. Then she wrote something that made me stop in my tracks. She scribbled the words "Heat Level: 6" in bold, block letters beside the plan. I blinked, confusion flooding my mind. Heat level? What was that supposed to mean? [Heat Level: ? ? ? ? ? ? ] ¡°Heat level?¡± I asked, still trying to make sense of it. Elene glanced up at me, her expression unfazed. ¡°It¡¯s something we picked up¡ªwell, Mira did¡ªfrom a contractor we worked with.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°What does it mean?¡± She shrugged, her tone casual. ¡°The higher the heat level, the tougher the heist. Simple as that.¡± ¡°What can be expected?¡± ¡°Swat officers with body armor, nothing too serious, well, with some special units, but that¡¯s nothing that we can¡¯t handle, we are contractors, after all,¡± Elene said. ¡°What¡¯s the difference between a regular person and a contractor?¡± I asked, still trying to understand. Elene leaned back slightly as if considering how to phrase it. ¡°Our multi-realm ability,¡± she began, ¡°and the fact that some things no longer follow the rules of this world. Like how an IFV can absorb more damage than it¡¯s supposed to, or how we perceive pain differently than normal people.¡± I furrowed my brow. ¡°Then why doesn¡¯t everyone become one?¡± Elene paused, clearly choosing her words carefully. ¡°Because... how do I explain this? You¡¯re punished for your sins¡ªif that¡¯s the right way to put it. The only good part is you forget the process of being... converted. But trust me, it¡¯s not something you want to go through.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I said, still not quite understanding. Elene sighed deeply, her gaze turning distant, her eyes darkening. ¡°Without getting too into the religious side of things... for people in this world, it¡¯s literally throwing yourself into hell to cleanse yourself of your sins. And, as you know, we¡¯re all killers. There¡¯s this place, and you... kill yourself there. It¡¯s painful, beyond anything you can imagine. I don¡¯t remember everything, but I can tell you this: unless you¡¯re sure you want it, don¡¯t even think about going through with it.¡± I tilted my head, still confused. ¡°Okay, so all of you were tortured in hell for a single day? That doesn¡¯t sound so bad.¡± Elene¡¯s lips pressed together, her expression shifting in a way that made it clear she was reliving something painful. She went quiet for a moment, then spoke in a lower, darker tone. ¡°¡¯Hell`¡¯ isn¡¯t what you think. It¡¯s another dimension where time moves differently. One second here could be 10,000 years there. The pain... it stretches on like it has no end. And the horror? You¡¯d tear your own eyes out just to stop seeing it. The only thing that makes it bearable is that you forget the details after a few minutes... but the feeling? That never goes away. It stays with you.¡± Her voice trembled slightly, and she looked away, clearly trying to push the memory out of her mind. ¡°You get hurt by things you can¡¯t even imagine, and there¡¯s no relief. Sorry... I don¡¯t want to dig it all up. Forgetting 99,9% of it is a kind of blessing, but the 0,1%... that still haunts me.¡± She then pushed out a very large sigh. ¡°Anyway¡­ are you going to trigger my trauma or what, Ain?¡± ¡°Sorry to hear that,¡± I said, feeling a strange wave of empathy stir inside me. Something about the way her eyes threatened to spill over with emotion made it hard to ignore. I couldn¡¯t fully understand what these three had gone through, but the rawness of Elene¡¯s words left me with a heavy sense of what they must have endured to become¡­ someone like me. ¡°Here¡¯s the plan, we are going to assault the bank, through the front entrance, or the back, up to you, which requires different preparation, of course, but the point still stands, we have sixty seconds until the first police arrive at the scene,¡± Elene explained, giving me the layout of the bank. In hindsight, the bank was small¡ªprobably only four blocks in size¡ªwith a single front entrance and a locked back entrance. The back entrance, of course, would give us more time. We¡¯d be able to slip inside without too much noise, at least until we set up the thermal drill. Once that started, all hell would break loose. ¡°The thermal drill¡ªthe Thermomaster Psio-Thermo Drill 5000¡ªcan burn up to 10,000 K,¡± Elene said, her tone steady. ¡°It¡¯ll cut through the steel vault door like butter, but because of the door¡¯s design, it¡¯ll take about three minutes to break through.¡± ¡°That¡¯s quick,¡± I commented. ¡°Yeah, but once we¡¯re in, we¡¯ll head to the extraction point. Mira will pick us up in an armored helicopter. Any questions?¡± Elene asked, turning her gaze to me. ¡°I¡¯ve got one. Have you briefed the others?¡± I asked. ¡°Well, we made the plan before we got here, but I needed your feedback first,¡± Elene replied, her voice casual but firm. ¡°For now, no. I¡¯ve got nothing to add,¡± I said, shrugging. ¡°Alright then, boss," she said with a smirk. "Now that we¡¯ve got that out of the way, what¡¯s next?¡± Chapter 33: The Way to 5,000,000 UC It didn¡¯t take too long for Elene to gather her group into a coherent one. Mira was done with her cooking, and Alice was done fiddling with my Puma IFV. What surprised me was how fast they changed from their casual outfit to a tactical one. Alice changed from her shorts into cargo pants and wore a gray fleece on top of her t-shirt while Mira had a whole makeover, returning with her Federal military uniform, albeit with a different insignia. Elene stayed in her shirt and black pants though, maybe because it was what was comfortable for her. ¡°What do you want me to call you, boss or commander?¡± Alice asked. ¡°I¡¯m the commander, she¡¯s the boss,¡± Elene answered. ¡°Fine by me,¡± Alice shrugged her shoulders. I opened the portal leading into the guild building. Eleanor turned her head toward our direction, wondering what just happened on the other side now that the kins returned in their tactical uniforms. She just gave a light smile to our way and pointed her finger at the quest terminal. ¡°You can check out the quests at the terminal, as usual,¡± Eleanor nodded. I went through several of the provided quests and was wondering what these three extra would add to my team. They were better than me in every combat metric but healing. I sure as hell would be able to take a more difficult mission than before. [Attack the Divinity¡¯s Armored Vehicle Column: 2,500,000 UC] [Bring an Intact Topol-M ICBM From The Union: 5,000,000,000 UC] [Steal a B-20 ¡°Raider¡± From The Federation: 2,500,000,000 UC] [Steal a F-22C From The Federation: 500,000,000 UC] [Steal a Prototype T-14 Armata From The Union: 4,000,000 UC] [Destroy a Platoon of Automata: 3,500,000 UC] ¡°Hmm, I think I have an idea,¡± I commented as I looked over the quest. ¡°Ain¡­ don¡¯t, we aren¡¯t going to steal nukes, are we?¡± Elene squinted her eyes, looking at me with skepticism. ¡°That thing will be located deep inside the Union.¡± ¡°Then, should we steal the Armata, then?¡± I asked again. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ doable, I guess? But that requires planning, after all, we want the thing INTACT,¡± Elene reiterated her point. ¡°Automata it is, then,¡± I said. ¡°You know, I was going to suggest we attack the armored column, but in hindsight, it can be too reckless in the grand scheme of things,¡± Elene added. Alice leaned casually against the table, adjusting the tactical gloves she¡¯d slipped on after her change of clothes. ¡°Automata, huh?¡± she said, her tone carrying a mix of intrigue and skepticism. ¡°If you ask me, that sounds like the low-hanging fruit. Not that I¡¯m against smashing some bots¡ªit¡¯s just¡­ meh. No offense, boss,¡± she added with a glance toward Elene, ¡°but it feels like a wasted opportunity for something really exciting.¡± ¡°You have something more exciting in mind?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Stealing the Armata,¡± Alice replied instantly, a gleam in her eye. ¡°That¡¯s a one-of-a-kind prototype. That thing¡¯s got active protection systems, reactive armor, adaptive camouflage, you name it.¡± ¡°You do realize it¡¯s guarded, right?¡± Elene said, crossing her arms. ¡°We¡¯re not just walking into a museum and towing it out. Even the Hind is guarded well.¡± Mira, who had been quietly leaning over my shoulder to look at the quest terminal, suddenly chimed in. ¡°I don¡¯t know... I think automata are way more interesting,¡± she said.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°And?¡± Alice said, tilting her head. ¡°They¡¯re still just scrap metal when you hit them hard enough.¡± Mira shook her head, her lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°That¡¯s such a limited way of looking at them. You know that a mechanical machine with that ability to calculate would have multiple times of success chance in comparison to us, flesh-and-blood?¡± She then shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Get the wreckage of those automatas, and we will have functioning ones on our side.¡± Elene then looked at her squad mates, giving her a strong gaze to shut them up. Her eyes clearly told them that I was in charge of the team now, so, as long as I didn¡¯t give them an impossible mission, they wouldn¡¯t be protesting. ¡°Let¡¯s kill those automatas, I really want to see them in action,¡± I commented. ¡°I know you will get my point, boss,¡± Mira approved the action. ¡°Well, if you said so, boss,¡± Alice added. ¡°Do you have a .308 battle rifle?¡± Mira asked, showing off the SCAR-H on her hands. ¡°Those automatas would just¡­ bounce off your bullets if you use anything smaller than that.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t an armor-piercing bullet do the task just fine?¡± I asked. ¡°No, you need a steel-core 7.62 to reliably damage the automata, even then, it¡¯s not like a biological enemy that would have its limbs disabled by shooting at it,¡± Elene explained. ¡°Still, Mira might be able to do her witchery to disable them temporarily.¡± ¡°We have autocannons,¡± I said. ¡°Fair enough,¡± Elene shrugged her shoulders. I accepted the quest and a marker appeared on my peripheral vision, displaying the location of the said automata. ¡°You know,¡± Alice said as she tapped on the screen, ¡°if we¡¯re going after automata, it might not hurt to try and snag one that¡¯s mostly intact. I mean, I¡¯m all for blowing them to bits but imagine what we could do if we actually brought one back in one piece. We could reprogram it, use it for recon, maybe even weaponize it for future missions.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a big maybe,¡± Elene said, her tone skeptical. ¡°If we¡¯re being realistic, they¡¯re not going to just let us waltz in and take their toys. The second we engage, they¡¯ll likely call reinforcements, and trust me, automata in numbers aren¡¯t something you want to mess with.¡± Mira smirked. ¡°And that¡¯s where my ¡®witchery¡¯ comes in, as you put it.¡± She gave a playful glance toward Elene, then turned to me. ¡°Boss, if I can get close enough to one of their command units, I might be able to temporarily hijack its signal. Not for long, maybe a minute top, but long enough to turn it against its allies. After that, well¡­ Alice can have her fun tearing it apart.¡± Alice grinned. ¡°Now that¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about. You do your magic, Mira, and I¡¯ll handle the tech.¡± [Destroy a Platoon of Automata: 3,500,000 UC] ¡°Why it doesn¡¯t sound as easy as it sounds?¡± Elene scratched her head. ¡°Why?¡± I asked. ¡°Auto-Mortar¡­ that¡¯s something you wouldn¡¯t want to mess with,¡± Elene commented. ¡°It¡¯s still more than fourteen kilograms of explosives lobbed at your feet, and it¡¯s an auto-mortar.¡± I realized the implication, but well, my IFV was rather¡­ well-protected, for the lack of a better word for it, and I don¡¯t think that auto-mortar would have a godly precision in the grand scheme of things, especially if we move very quickly. ¡°If I may suggest, a drone might be useful,¡± Alice added. ¡°A Switchblade 600-I3? Well, two Switchblade drones?¡± Mira asked. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a great idea, we can take out the auto mortar first before we go through the assault. I think it will be wiser as well,¡± Elene said. ¡°That¡¯d be great,¡± I added. ¡°Alright, ma¡¯am, give us the money,¡± Mira smiled. ¡°Let this logistic officer sort the price out for you. I already ask for the full-price catalog from Wilhelm.¡± ¡°How much do you need?¡± I asked. ¡°Give me 50,000 UC, and I¡¯ll get you the drones,¡± Mira said. ¡°Isn¡¯t a highly advanced military hardware like that going to cost a fortune?¡± I asked. ¡°Well, with the correct haggling, any arms dealer would melt,¡± Mira smiled. ¡°Fine.¡± [2,122,947 UC ¡ú 2,072,947 UC] ¡°You won¡¯t regret this, Ain.¡± The group stepped outside, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the barren landscape outside the guild building. The air was cool and carried a faint smell of grass. Alice and Mira walked ahead toward the depot while Elene and I walked toward the IFV I used to go to the guild building. Elene and I laid our backs against the body of the IFV, waiting for Mira and Alice to buy the FPV drones for them. I wondered how she could get the price to drop that much. ¡°Do you think she¡¯s actually haggling with Wilhelm, or do you think she¡¯s threatening him into submission?¡± I asked Elene, curious about what they would do. Elene laughed. ¡°With Mira? Probably both. If anyone can get two military-grade drones for less than a month¡¯s rent, it¡¯s her.¡± Before anyone could say more, Mira reappeared from around the corner of the depot. She walked briskly toward us, her expression calm and professional, but there was something almost smug about the slight tilt of her head. ¡°Done already?¡± I asked. Mira nodded, patting her hands together like she¡¯d just finished dusting them off. ¡°Of course. It¡¯s not like Wilhelm can sell this outdated hardware at MSRP to me.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go, then,¡± I said, opening the ramp on the back of the IFV. Chapter 34: Preparation For The Assault This world was mostly grassland¡ªvast, endless grassland. Sure, there were the occasional abandoned villages or towns scattered here and there, but the open fields stretched as far as the eye could see. Grasses swayed gently in the wind, dotted here and there with the occasional tree. Slimes and corrupted creatures roamed aimlessly, but they rarely lasted long when they wandered into range of my autocannons. Unlucky bastards. The group was seated in the back, waiting and preparing for the battle ahead. One thing I liked about this setup was how much easier it made my job. Instead of having to juggle both driving and firing the autocannons myself, Elene had taken over weapon control. It was a relief to focus solely on driving for once, knowing a more capable hand was manning the guns. Still, I opened the door bordering between the hatch to our cabin and the inside interior of the IFV. ¡°Contractors¡¯ vehicles are sure as hell something else,¡± Alice said, resting her hands on the cold steel wall of the IFV. Her voice carried a mix of awe and curiosity. ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories about them, but experiencing one firsthand¡­ it¡¯s just weird.¡± ¡°I know, right?¡± Mira chimed in, leaning back against her seat. ¡°The interior¡¯s bigger than it should be. What¡¯s the right term for that? Non-newtonian? Non-borean?¡± ¡°Non-Euclidean,¡± Alice corrected with a smirk. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one,¡± Mira said, snapping her fingers. ¡°It¡¯s like the rules of space just don¡¯t apply in here. Seriously, how does this even work? I have been in some contractors¡¯ armored vehicles before, but to understand how one works is another thing entirely.¡± ¡°And the inventory, don¡¯t forget about that,¡± Alice added. ¡°Yeah, that too. How the hell can I carry 500 kilograms in a fictional inventory? That¡¯s insane on its own,¡± Mira added, shaking her head with a faint smile. As a former logistics officer, it was no surprise she appreciated this particular detail more than most. The sheer convenience of it was enough to make anyone in her position jealous. I kept my focus on driving the IFV, the steady hum of the engine and the wide expanse of grassland making for an oddly peaceful journey. Slimes and corrupted creatures dotted the landscape, but nothing worth slowing down for. Meanwhile, the conversation in the cabin kept the atmosphere light. It felt strange, yet refreshing, to be working with a group like this¡ªa new team, new personalities. Friends, maybe. Time will tell. The plan itself was straightforward enough, at least on paper. Elene had hammered it into our heads multiple times: do not engage the automata until the auto-mortars are neutralized. According to her, if we so much as entered a ten-kilometer radius while those mortars were still operational, the IFV wouldn¡¯t last five minutes. Step one was simple: launch the two Switchblade drones to take out the auto-mortars from a safe distance. Once we confirmed the mortars were destroyed, the real fight would begin¡ªa two-pronged assault on the automata outpost. The team would split into two groups, as usual. Alice and I would stay in the IFV, drawing attention from the automata and providing cover fire. Meanwhile, Elene and Mira would infiltrate the chaos, slipping through the crossfire to locate and hack the command automata. With the command unit under our control, the remaining enemies could be neutralized quickly, minimizing the risk to everyone. Elene and Mira had clear advantages for this kind of operation. Elene, with her uncanny stealth and tactical precision, was practically a walking definition of a ¡°stealth tank.¡± And Mira? Well, her abilities were still a bit of a mystery to me, though I couldn¡¯t deny their effectiveness. Curious, I asked her about it as we rolled toward our destination.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°I¡¯m an engineer with healer characteristics,¡± Mira explained, leaning back in her seat. ¡°Think of me like Alice, but with the ability to heal both humanoids and machines.¡± I glanced at her through the rearview mirror, raising an eyebrow. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you can patch up the robots and us at the same time?¡± She nodded casually. ¡°More or less.¡± ¡°Not as better as I am, though,¡± Alice added. ¡°True to that, I¡¯m just a jack-of-all-trades here, well, now, I¡¯m between you two,¡± Mira answered, referring to both me and Alice. Alice then continued, ¡°It should be a piece of cake. I could heal this IFV while you shoot the guns, should be easy enough.¡± Our conversation was cut short as we arrived at the designated launch zone¡ªa desolate patch of grassland surrounded by nothing but wind and distant horizons. Elene motioned for me to bring the IFV to a halt. I hit the brakes, and the vehicle rumbled to a stop, its engine idling softly. ¡°Open the ramp,¡± Elene ordered. I reached for the controls, and with a low hydraulic hiss, the back ramp of the IFV lowered to the ground. Mira wasted no time. She hopped out with practiced ease, her boots crunching against the dry grass. Without a word, she reached into the air, her arm vanishing momentarily as though she¡¯d plunged it into a black void. A second later, she pulled out the massive disposable drone launcher, a cylindrical tube that looked more like a supersized mortar. The weapon was bulky, unwieldy, and far larger than anything a person should have been able to carry, but Mira made it look effortless. She carried the launcher a few steps away from the IFV. Finding a stable patch of ground, she drove the tube deep into the dirt, pressing it firmly into place with her boot. Once satisfied, she pulled a tablet from her tactical rig, its screen lighting up as she powered it on. ¡°Launching drone,¡± Mira announced. The drone shot out of the tube, streaking into the sky with a sharp whoosh that was audible even from the inside of the IFV. Mira positioned another tube on the ground, driving it firmly into the earth just like before. This time, she didn¡¯t rush the launch. Instead, she waited for two minutes, letting the cooldown between deployments pass as she monitored the system on her tablet. When the countdown reached zero, she hit the launch command. The second drone streaked into the sky, its sharp whoosh cutting through the stillness. Alice pulled out her own tablet as the drone disappeared into the distance. With a few quick swipes and taps, she synced her controls to the device. ¡°I¡¯ve got it from here,¡± she said, her voice filled with quiet focus as she took command of the drone. Meanwhile, Elene stepped out of the IFV, her boots hitting the ground with a soft crunch. She approached Mira and, with an effortless motion, summoned a JLTV from her inventory. The large vehicle materialized in front of her like a ghostly mirage solidifying into reality¡ªa sleek, rugged four-wheeled vehicle. ¡°Good luck, you two,¡± Elene said as she climbed into the JLTV¡¯s driver¡¯s seat. Mira followed her without hesitation, jumping into the passenger side and securing her gear. The engine roared to life with a low growl. ¡°We¡¯ll be standing by,¡± Elene added as she shifted into gear. The JLTV sped off, kicking up a faint cloud of dust as it disappeared over the horizon, leaving Alice and me alone at the launch zone. Alice stayed focused on the drone feed, her tablet screen displaying the live POV from the drone¡¯s camera. Curious, I leaned over her shoulder to get a better look. The screen showed the drone flying low over the desolate landscape, its adaptive optics giving a sharp, tactical view of the surroundings. Ahead, a military outpost came into focus¡ªa heavily fortified position surrounded by metal barriers and patrolling automata. Alice expertly maneuvered the drone, weaving it through the air toward the target. The screen zoomed in as she guided it toward a weapon emplacement nestled within the outpost. The auto-mortar was massive, its bulky form encased in thick armor plating. The drone hovered for a split second as the targeting system locked on. Then, the feed went black as the drone detonated on impact. A second later, Alice grinned, satisfied. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s one hell of a welcoming party dealt with. Let¡¯s get moving.¡± Chapter 35: My First Encounter Against The Automata The IFV moved out of our previous open area and sped off into the grassland. With the auto mortar dealt with, we didn¡¯t have to dodge left and right to deal with the mortar. In the distance, the automata outpost came into view. Smoke from the destroyed mortars still lingered in the air. ¡°Ain, are you there? Switch to thermals,¡± Elene signaled through the radio. I switched to the thermal vision of the gunner camera and looked at the outpost. A bunch of humanoid faceless robots were scrambling for defense. On the hill near the outpost, two figures were standing beside an armored vehicle. ¡°Can you see me?¡± Elene asked. ¡°I can see you clearly,¡± I replied. ¡°That¡¯s us, don¡¯t shoot at us, copy that?¡± Elene asked. ¡°Sure thing,¡± I said. I scanned the targets through the IFV¡¯s targeting display as Alice navigated the vehicle with steady precision. The bumpy terrain didn¡¯t make things easy, but she managed to keep the ride smooth enough for me to focus on the battlefield ahead. The enemy units came into view, and I studied them carefully. They weren¡¯t simple machines¡ªthey were androids, humanoid in shape but distinctly mechanical in appearance. They had dark armor platings with a strange marking on their bodies. The largest androids stood like towering juggernauts, their reinforced frames plated with thick armor. They were carrying miniguns and missile launchers, the massive barrels rotating idly as if they were already prepared to shred anything that came too close. The medium androids were more versatile, equipped with an assortment of weaponry. Some carried sleek assault rifles, while others had marksman rifles slung over their shoulders. Their slimmer builds suggested they were faster and more agile than their heavier counterparts, but no less dangerous. Then there were the smallest units, darting around the perimeter like restless predators. They carried compact SMGs in their hands, but what caught my attention was the long machete strapped to each of their hips. ¡°Why are they called facsimiles?¡± I asked. ¡°Because that¡¯s the official designation the Federation gave them,¡± Alice replied, her tone matter-of-fact as she kept her attention on the controls. ¡°Automata is more of a blanket term¡ªa misnomer, really¡ªfor any unit associated with this robotic faction. Their headquarters are still a mystery, by the way.¡± She then explained through the radio, ¡°Facsimiles specifically refer to the humanoid models. The ones trying really hard to mimic us.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s not just these guys?¡± I pressed. Alice shook her head. ¡°Not even close. You¡¯ve got the tanks, the IFVs, the mechs... anything that doesn¡¯t fit the humanoid mold falls under a different classification. Facsimiles are just the ¡®foot soldiers,¡¯ so to speak.¡± ¡°Fair enough,¡± I replied, aiming the autocannons at the facsimiles, but I hadn¡¯t pulled the trigger yet, I was still waiting for the order to come from Elene since she would be on the most important part of this assault and make the job of us two easier. The two figures walked toward the outpost. I observed the group. There was something weird about it, the two figures were having a rather dim thermal signature, almost blending to the background thermal radiation. Maybe this was what Elene meant when she was a rogue paladin, she could do stealth mission while having a plan B at the ready. I wasn¡¯t too sure about what their plan, or how Mira could identify the command facsimile. Alice grinned as she gripped the steering controls tighter. ¡°Alright, boss, let¡¯s give them a show.¡± The IFV roared forward, its armored wheels crushing the terrain beneath us as we approached the outpost. The facsimiles reacted instantly, their movements sharp and precise as they began to reorient themselves toward the incoming threat.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I activated my [Focus] to slow down my perception of time. The turret rotation became much slower, and the vehicle was moving really slowly as the rushing facsimiles scrambled for cover. In the midst of the slowing down, I fired the autocannons. A stream of bullets erupted from the autocannons, their thunderous roar cutting through the chaos. The 30mm APFSDS rounds tore into the two heavy facsimiles guarding the entrance to the outpost, shredding their torsos and severing their limbs with ruthless efficiency. Sparks and twisted fragments of metal scattered like shrapnel as the towering androids crumpled, their systems failing instantly. Before their bodies even hit the ground, I swiveled the turret toward a cluster of medium facsimiles. The armed androids were raising their assault rifles, aiming directly at the IFV. I squeezed the trigger again. The autocannons spat another deadly burst, punching through their armor with ease. The facsimiles jerked violently as the sabot rounds ripped through their cores, sending plumes of sparks and shattered components flying in all directions. ¡°Nice one, Ain,¡± Alice¡¯s voice crackled through the comms. I didn¡¯t have time to reply. The battlefield shifted again as the remaining units began to scatter, their coordination visibly breaking down. The smaller facsimiles moved like predators, darting toward the IFV with speed. Even with their erratic zigzag patterns and inhuman reflexes, the autocannons tracked them effortlessly. The turret rotated smoothly, locking onto the nearest group. I fired another burst, the rounds tearing through their ranks with brutal precision. The first facsimile disintegrated under the impact, its body exploding into a shower of sparks and shredded metal. The others followed quickly, their glowing heat signatures flaring brightly in the thermal display before fading into darkness. ¡°AIN, STOP! I WANT SOME OF THEIR BODIES INTACT!¡± Mira¡¯s voice burst through the comms, startling me out of my killing spree. I scanned the outpost again, my eyes narrowing as I toggled through the thermal and standard vision modes of the turret camera. Still nothing. No movement. No heat signatures. Just the glowing wreckage of facsimiles I¡¯d destroyed and the scattered outlines of active enemies scrambling to regroup. Where were they? Elene and Mira couldn¡¯t have just disappeared. Could they? A thought nagged at the back of my mind. Why hadn¡¯t Elene used this stealth ability back in Solimat, when everything had gone to hell? It would¡¯ve made things so much easier¡ªsmoother, cleaner. Was it because of some restriction? A cooldown? I scrubbed the thought away as I only focused on the facsimiles that remotely gave any threat to the IFV slowly approaching the outpost. Alice wasn¡¯t even concerned one bit about this bum-rush tactic, but again, our vehicle¡¯s health bar didn¡¯t reduce despite the heavy incoming fire. I tracked another group of mediums as they moved behind the cover, their weapons glowing faintly in the thermal spectrum. They were aiming at the IFV¡¯s tires¡ªsmart, but not smart enough. I shifted the turret, lining them up in my crosshairs. My finger hovered over the trigger, ready to fire. ¡°AIN, I SAID STOP!¡± Mira¡¯s voice barked through the comms again, louder and angrier this time. ¡°You¡¯re blowing up everything! I need some of them intact!¡± I groaned and released the trigger, the turret going still for a moment as I clenched my jaw in frustration. ¡°Do you want to come up here and shoot them yourself?¡± I snapped back. ¡°Because I¡¯m not exactly built for precision when I¡¯m being shot at!¡± ¡°Disable them!¡± Mira shot back, her tone unwavering. ¡°Aim for their legs, arms¡ªanything that keeps them from turning into molten scrap! We need the cores and neural modules intact if you want me to figure out their software!¡± I sighed, hard, ¡°Whatever.¡± Instead of firing a full burst, I squeezed the trigger lightly, sending a controlled stream of rounds into their legs. The bullets shredded their limbs with brutal precision, sending them tumbling to the ground in spasms of sparks and twitching metal. ¡°There, happy?¡± I grumbled. ¡°Much better,¡± Mira replied, her tone sharp but satisfied. ¡°Now keep it that way.¡± Two dim thermal signatures¡ªbarely visible, blending almost perfectly into the background. It had to be Elene and Mira, slipping through the chaos toward their objective. They seem to be approaching a single heavy facsimile. ¡°They¡¯re closing in,¡± I muttered, mostly to myself. ¡°Which one?¡± Alice asked, glancing at me. ¡°Both,¡± I replied. ¡°They¡¯re near the command facsimile. I think Mira¡¯s going to try hacking it.¡± The dim thermal signature then got closer to the heavy facsimile and one of the figures stabbed the facsimile with a blade. The facsimile shot its gun all over the place, raining lead bullets everywhere, and then suddenly, it stopped. Not only the heavy facsimile stopped, but the whole facsimiles in the whole outpost stopped moving. It looked like, whatever Mira did to the heavy facsimile, it worked flawlessly in disabling all of them. They stopped shooting and stood still, lifeless and motionless. [Exiting Combat: +18,000 EXP] [Level Up: 18 ¡ú 20] [48 Stats Points Available] [10 Skill&Perks Points Available] [New Class: Restorationist] [Skill Change: Healing Hands +10 > Healing Aura] [Quest Completed] [2,122,947 UC ¡ú 5,622,947 UC] [Healing Aura] You possess the extraordinary ability to heal others without the need for physical contact. Your healing extends across distances, allowing you to mend injuries and restore health from afar. Additionally, this power can address and cure pathological conditions. ¡°Alright, new skill, new class.¡± Chapter 36: Facsimiles? The battle ended quickly. The outpost was quiet now, save for the occasional crackle of sparking wires from the disabled facsimiles scattered across the area. We gathered in the center of the outpost, working methodically to disable the remaining units. One by one, we opened their back plates, exposing the delicate circuitry within. Mira directed us as we carefully removed their mainboards from their chassis, rendering them little more than lifeless husks. Only the units that were mostly intact were salvaged¡ªthe rest were left where they fell, scrap metal glinting in the faint sunlight. By the end of it, we managed to extract three facsimiles in usable condition: one heavy, one medium, and one light. Once feared on the battlefield, their designs now seemed almost lifeless as they lay motionless at our feet. The heavy facsimile still carried its imposing M134 minigun, an addition that I certainly welcomed with open arms. These android robots were terrifying, to say the least. They resembled humans but with glaring flat metal white face and metal plating instead of skin. Their durability was just as unnerving. I tried firing a standard 5.56 FMJ round at the armor plating of the light facsimile, but all it did was produce a faint ping. Mira and Alice stood beside the salvaged units, already deep in conversation. These two engineers were already fascinated by the automata, and getting their hands on one would probably be in their deepest dreams. However, Elene was the most hesitant one, and I was stuck between the three. Mira said, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, these will be invaluable. With the right modifications, we could reprogram the heavy to serve as a defensive unit, or at least figure out how their command protocols work. And the light? That¡¯s a perfect candidate for a recon unit.¡± Elene, arms crossed and clearly unimpressed, frowned as she looked over the facsimiles. ¡°And what happens if the reprogramming fails?¡± she countered, her tone sharp. ¡°These things were designed to kill us, remember? If even one of them reboots and defaults to its original programming, it¡¯s going to be a disaster. They¡¯re more trouble than they¡¯re worth.¡± Alice then let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°You¡¯re paranoid. We both have reprogrammed dozens of units before. C¡¯mon, Elene, it¡¯s not my first rodeo.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly why, the last time we pull this kind of shit, it got solved with a shitton of RPGs,¡± Elene protested. I stepped in before the argument could escalate further. ¡°Enough. We¡¯re only taking what we can handle. A heavy, a medium, and a light¡ªthat¡¯s it. Any more, and we¡¯ll just be inviting trouble. However, Mira has her point, these facsimiles would be useful for us, if the reprogramming is successful.¡± Elene sighed, ¡°Fine, you¡¯re the boss.¡± Alice and Mira smiled together. ¡°I know you¡¯ll agree with us, Ain,¡± Mira replied. With a flick of a switch in my pocket, I activated the dimensional gateway. A soft hum resonated as the shimmering portal opened, revealing the safe house where we could store most of our haul. While I focused on moving the facsimiles, the others spread out through the outpost, scavenging for weapons worth taking. They worked quickly, stripping the armory bare of rifles, pistols, and anything that looked capable of firing a round. The cache was incredible¡ªeverything from standard rifles to explosives that could flatten a building. Even the regular facsimiles were outfitted with heavily modified H&K 416 rifles. Their barrels bristled with extra wiring, the purpose of which was unknown. But from the sleek, futuristic design, it was clear these weren¡¯t ordinary weapons¡ªmore like something pulled straight out of science fiction. Once we¡¯d moved all the weapons, facsimiles, and explosives into the dimension, I flicked the switch again, sealing the portal. The outpost was left desolate, with nothing remaining but Hesco barriers, the wreckage of auto mortars, and the scattered corpses of automata. The air reeked of burnt plastic as we breathed in. ¡°Anyway, how about our quest? Is it completed yet?¡± Elene asked.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°It¡¯s done,¡± I replied. ¡°We can start preparing now if you want, but I think we shouldn¡¯t rush. Are you sure we have everything we need to pull off this particular... bank robbery? After all, we can¡¯t be too prepared.¡± ¡°Boss, I think we should use the heavy facsimiles. These things were literally built to kill,¡± Alice suggested, her brown ears twitching with excitement atop her head. Mira, ever sharp, immediately nodded in agreement from where she leaned against the parked Puma IFV. ¡°Right, that¡¯s a brilliant idea, Alice.¡± Elene let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Calm down, you two. We need to get the bloody thermal drill first.¡± I had a better idea, ¡°Why don¡¯t we get the hell out of here? I doubt these automata is stupid enough not to send anything in our way?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think so,¡± Mira nodded, she pressed a button and opened the back ramp of the IFV. We climbed into the back of the IFV and immediately closed the back ramp before finally moving away from the wreckage that used to be the outpost. I had a good feeling with these three, they seemed to have a real sense of camaraderie, and somehow, I fit in as their leader. Well, if they thought that it would be the best, then, sure. We returned to Ludmilla, but not to the guild office, instead, we went back straight to our safe house. Funny, it was not even a day yet, and I already referred the place as our safe house. Alice couldn¡¯t wait to open the weapon cache that we looted from the automata while Mira couldn¡¯t wait to reprogram the facsimiles that we brought. However, we were back in the meeting room, sitting down, surrounding the circular table while Elene briefed us fully again with her plan for the grand heist of this small bank in another realm. She was standing right near the blackboard, her black ears were pointed at our direction, alongside with her hands giving bunch of authoritative gestures. ¡°Alright, first up, the Thermomaster Psio-Thermo Drill 5000, is our goal here. Is not really a drill, but rather a psionic-based laser cutting rotating drill that would cut through the vault, making a clean circular cut that we could easily breach with our explosives,¡± Elene explained, she pointed at a designated wall that was still connected to the bank vault, but close enough to the rooftop. She then pointed her hand at a staircase leading to the rooftop, ¡°We are going to extract using a Fulton extraction system, well, an improved version of it, per se. Now, since we¡¯re contractors, we can carry gold in our inventory.¡± I nodded. She listed our carrying capability, which was¡­ humongous to say the least. Heck, even humongous couldn¡¯t begin to describe it, it was abnormal when a human being could carry about a ton, but this was a fantasy world, and like all heaven, it was made for our convenience. If someone read this description, I¡¯d doubt anyone would consider it to even be true, but well, this is a magical world, isn¡¯t it? ¡°Ok¡­ So, how much gold do you think will be available there?¡± I asked. ¡°Well, a lot. We counted, there should be a ton of that thing in there, all in 12 kg bar each,¡± Alice said. ¡°Well, carrying the gold is the easy part, to be honest. Our extraction is also¡­ easy, in the grand scheme of things, it¡¯s the¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, the heat,¡± Mira nodded her head. ¡°That¡¯s not something you¡¯d get by easily.¡± ¡°Can we bring in the IFV?¡± I asked. ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s a good question, and in fact, yes, we can, but, I¡¯m not going to do that. Heat level is separated into five categories, in short. Level 1-2, level 3-4, level 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, you get my point. It certainly can help as a distraction, though,¡± Mira said. ¡°Let me explain.¡± The level 1-2 heat consisted of your run-of-the-mill police officers¡ªnothing too serious. They wore basic ballistic protection, enough to stop a pistol round at most. Then came the level 3-4 heat, which introduced the casual SWAT units. These were the officers who were likely called in on short notice. They wore body armor and helmets, but their lack of advanced ballistic protection significantly hampered their response effectiveness. Finally, there was the maximum level of this heist: level 5-6 heat. At this point, the proper SWAT teams arrived. These were the professionals, equipped with heavier gear, more advanced tactics, and a determination to neutralize any threat. Mira advised me to keep the heat level below the second group as long as we could and not to escalate to the maximum heat level. ¡°Ok?¡± ¡°Now, a Puma would bring the level six immediately, unless you want to bring down the whole bank, I suggest you not bring that unless the heat level max up, and yes, this police also brought RPG and MAAWS at that level,¡± Mira explained. ¡°Point is, we need to put up a resistance without scaring them too much.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± I nodded. ¡°And did I mention that they come in waves? Don¡¯t bother with how the hell they got hundreds of bodies to throw at heisters, but the source said that they would kill SWAT in the hundreds,¡± Mira concluded her statement. ¡°Yeah, this is not a normal world, after all.¡± Elene then added, ¡°Now you know why we need you, Ain.¡± ¡°You need someone who can heal?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Elene grinned. ¡°We need someone who can heal us.¡± ¡°I understand my task, basically, keeping all of you alive as long as I could, right?¡± ¡°Correct,¡± Elene nodded. ¡°Got it, I¡¯ll make my own planning, then,¡± I said, already knowing what we needed. Chapter 37: Personal Preparation In the safe house, everyone was busy with their own tasks. Mira, for instance, was engrossed in reprogramming the facsimiles using¡­ psionic energy. Yes, you heard that right. I''ll never understand how she managed to manipulate mechanical beings with sigils and rituals. She had drawn intricate symbols on the garage floor with chalk, somehow connecting them to a laptop via a USB cable. Just picture my face when I walked in and saw that¡ªan elaborate chalk sigil on the floor hooked up to a laptop like it was the most normal thing in the world. Honestly, it looked like a bizarre fusion of witchcraft and tech support. Elene was gone, getting the thermal drill for us alongside with the Fulton balloons for us to use. She also said that she would be looking for a contractor who would be on-board with her crazy plan, which I was sure she would eventually find. The most interesting part of our preparation that we did in the front yard of the safe house, hands down, was what Alice and I were working on. Specifically, testing painkillers and blood-clotting drugs. I needed to figure out what worked and what didn¡¯t, and the only viable test subject was... me. It wasn¡¯t the dumbest idea I¡¯d ever had¡ªthough admittedly, it wasn¡¯t far off. Of course, I didn¡¯t do this without consulting our logistics officer, who also happened to be the team¡¯s former healer. However, the role had since fallen to me, as my spells were better suited to their needs. Mira¡¯s magic, while powerful, was more specialized for mechanical beings like facsimiles and golems¡ªnot exactly useful when dealing with flesh and blood. ¡°Alright, your turn,¡± I said to Alice, placing a hand over the gunshot wound I¡¯d just inflicted on myself. Yes, shooting each other had become a strangely routine practice among contractors like us, especially in healer-and-paladin duos. Unfortunately, our beloved paladin was out on a grocery run, leaving the healing duties to me¡ªthe medic¡ªand Alice, the team¡¯s engineer. Surprisingly, this trial-by-bullet approach wasn¡¯t all for nothing. Through it, I began to understand how wounds worked in this world. Bullets inflicted the most damage to the torso and head. A rifle headshot could bleed out a quarter of your health with just a single 7.62 FMJ round. A body shot? That would drain about an eighth. Extremities were more forgiving, costing only a sixteenth of your health. I grabbed my G36 and shot Alice in the torso. She flinched as blood sprayed away from her torso, then, I put my hand pointed at her direction. The wound slowly closed as my psionic energy was drained from my body to heal her wound rapidly. ¡°How much did that drain?¡± I asked. ¡°A sixteenth, like extremities,¡± Alice answered. Alice put me through hell testing her new weapons. From the coil-based bullet accelerator mounted on the H&K 416 to psionic-enhanced rounds designed to mess with psionic regeneration¡ªit was as brutal as it sounds. Was it pleasant? Absolutely not. Especially when my psionic energy drained away and the raw, unfiltered pain started to kick in. It turned out that draining your psionic energy would also mean that you¡¯d feel the raw unfiltered pain until the psionic energy returned to its bare minimum. In return, I tested drugs on Alice. Through trial and error, I discovered that painkillers could reduce the damage we took, while blood-clotting agents, regeneration creams, and bandages accelerated the healing process. Better yet, applying them also restored a chunk of health every time they were used. So far, ketamine was our top pick. It was the cheapest option and reduced incoming damage by half. However, it didn¡¯t stop bleeding, which could only be addressed with bandages or blood-clotting drugs like Tranexamic Acid or something like that. To put it bluntly, it was a mutually painful relationship. But it worked. Sort of. Painful? Yes. Practical? Also yes. Is it stupid? Kinda, but yes. ¡°So, this is why the automata is a pain in the arse for the Feds,¡± Alice commented, lifting up the 416 that she held. ¡°Why?¡± I asked her, observing the wound slowly closing down. ¡°The barrel alone boosts a bullet¡¯s performance by 35%¡ªthat¡¯s a massive improvement, especially in terms of velocity,¡± Alice explained. ¡°Kinetic energy-wise, this upgrade increases the force by around 80%. That¡¯s nearly double the power. No wonder we stopped issuing alumina oxide plates to our troops and switched to silicon carbide as the minimum standard.¡± ¡°I see,¡± I only nodded. ¡°Should we use this thing during the heist?¡± Alice asked. I gave it some thought¡ªit would be a great idea to use these weapons, especially the upgraded 416. The increased velocity and power would make it much easier to pierce the body armor worn by SWAT teams. A faster bullet meant better penetration, and that could make all the difference in a fight, especially against waves of enemies.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°I think we should,¡± I said. ¡°I think so,¡± Alice also nodded. ¡°We should have all the advantages that we could get.¡± As we discussed the advantages of using better weapons, and a facsimile emerged from the garage¡ªthe big one, armed with the M134 minigun. Mira followed closely behind, giggling and clutching her tablet like a proud inventor showcasing her creation. The sight of the facsimile was as uncanny as ever. Its heavily armored frame moved with surprising ease, the miniguns firmly gripped in its hands and a massive ammo backpack secured on its back. Despite its intimidating appearance, it seemed friendly this time, approaching us slowly. ¡°BEHOLD, B!¡± Mira declared dramatically, presenting the facsimile with a flourish. She had named it a mere B, of all things. ¡°B?¡± Alice raised an eyebrow, her ears twitching in disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s what you call your masterpiece?¡± I shrugged, giving the machine a critical once-over. ¡°Looks functional enough, as long as it doesn¡¯t try to kill us. Still, I¡¯d name it the Terminator, or something like that.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, it¡¯s functional. It also has voice command. B, I want that sky gone,¡± Mira said. The facsimile didn¡¯t reply, it immediately aimed the minigun up into the air and began shooting. A stream of bullets flew toward the air. The facsimile hold the minigun steadily, as if the heavy weapon didn¡¯t have any recoil whatsoever. However, Mira stopped the combat routine immediately by a press of a button, stopping the facsimile from moving a single joint. ¡°See? Emergency protocol¡ªjust the way Elene likes it,¡± Mira said with a satisfied grin. ¡°How much ammo does B carry?¡± I asked, eyeing the massive facsimile. ¡°3,000 rounds. That should be enough,¡± Mira replied. ¡°And if we ever run low, we can just pour more bullets into the backpack.¡± ¡°That sounds... simple,¡± I said, still processing how straightforward it all seemed. ¡°C¡¯mon, look at his massive backpack. It¡¯s not just storage¡ªit¡¯s got an ammo-sorting capability too,¡± Mira added, tapping the side of the facsimile for emphasis. ¡°Well, that means we¡¯ll need a lot of ammo on hand,¡± Alice pointed out. ¡°Of course! That¡¯s why I¡¯ve moved all the ammo backpacks from the heavy facsimiles into this safe house,¡± Mira explained. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to bring a bunch of them. It should be more than enough to keep B loaded and ready for action.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± I said. Mira then asked, ¡°So, what did you find? Anything new from what I¡¯ve told?¡± ¡°Not really, it¡¯s true that painkillers are good for reducing damage, but different painkillers had different efficacies. I was having an idea that maybe, a Fentanyl would null the pain completely, but the bloody darn thing really affects our consciousness, ketamine is still the best for it,¡± I explained. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear, well, I¡¯m not wrong to choose you,¡± Mira said. Then, I addressed the elephant in the room¡ªor rather, in my inventory. The undistributed skill points. What should I do with them? I could allocate them wherever I wanted, but right now, only two options seemed genuinely useful: vitality and aptitude. Vitality determined how much damage I could take before my health bar dwindled, while aptitude controlled the amount of psionic energy I had available to heal others. With the next heist likely to turn into a close-quarters combat scenario, boosting my health seemed like the obvious choice. I¡¯d need every bit of extra durability to make it through in one piece. However, my role as a healer meant I¡¯d likely be casting my healing spell obnoxiously often¡ªespecially when we¡¯d be facing waves of SWAT teams determined to take us down by any means necessary. I then distributed all of the stat points to aptitude. Name: Ain Class: Restorationist Race: Fallen Angel Strength: 110 Agility: 40 Vitality: 100 Aptitude: 204 [You Really Want To Get Your Red Bull, Don¡¯t You?] What a snarky comment, I thought. ¡°We should address one small detail,¡± Mira said, breaking the momentary silence. Both she and Alice turned their heads in my direction. What now? ¡°Is something wrong?¡± I asked, feeling their gazes linger. ¡°Yeah,¡± Mira replied. ¡°We need to work on your shooting skills, girl. You¡¯re skilled, sure, but we¡¯re about to face waves of SWAT teams. You¡¯d better be ready.¡± ¡°Want me to build a kill house for her?¡± Alice chimed in, her tone almost too casual. ¡°That¡¯d be great,¡± Mira agreed with a nod. Alice wasted no time getting to work, quickly drafting plans for a kill house using my safe house as the layout. She repurposed the space, scattering bullet-absorbent targets throughout the rooms, hallways, and corners. Some were shaped like enemy combatants, while others resembled civilians¡ªa detail that immediately made me uneasy. ¡°Wait, why civilians?¡± I protested, watching her place a target in a corner near the makeshift kitchen. Alice barely glanced up, her hands busy setting up another target. ¡°Because stakes matter. Shooting at civilians is forbidden, and having something valuable on the line will force you to focus. No room for sloppy aim.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s my safe house!¡± I argued, exasperated. ¡°Exactly,¡± Alice said with a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s familiar territory, so you¡¯ll feel the pressure to be precise. No reckless shots. Plus, I made sure the targets absorb bullets. No real damage.¡± Reluctantly, I nodded. If I was going to make this heist successful, I¡¯d need all the practice I could get¡ªeven if it meant risking my favorite couch getting splattered with paint rounds in the process. I sighed, realizing I wasn¡¯t going to win this argument. Mira leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the exchange with an amused expression. ¡°Think of it as practice under pressure,¡± Mira added. ¡°Better to mess up here than out there against SWAT.¡± I stood at the entrance, gripping my G36 tightly. The dim lighting of the makeshift kill house cast eerie shadows across the bullet-absorbent targets scattered inside. Alice¡¯s voice crackled over the headset she¡¯d insisted I wear. ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the deal. Your ideal time to clear this is under two minutes. No skills allowed,¡± she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. ¡°You¡¯ve got an overpowered ability in the grand scheme of things, so consider this a test of your raw marksmanship.¡± I exhaled slowly, steadying my nerves. No psionics, no tricks¡ªjust me, the rifle, and the targets. ¡°Ready?¡± Alice asked. I gave a short nod. ¡°Go!¡± she barked.