Just want to firstly disclaim my use for the works 'The Gamer'. It is a manhwa written by Author : Sung Sang-Young. I hold no owner ship of 'The Gamer' and am not making any money from this work of fiction. I'd like to also disclaim the works of Dying light.
For any one who did not get the reference 'Undersiders', it is actually refering to; WORM the web serial. Don't know what that is? Check it out. Its an original story about super heros and villans. People triggering to traumatic events and unlocking super powers. A must read if you like Marvel or DC.
I was sitting against the wall with my hands behind my back. I was subtly using T.K to work on the rope binding me. Can't seem to undo the knot, gonna have to break it. Just need to stall for enough time to come up with a plan of action. Rias had come into the cell with a really big burley man. He is either there for intimidation or to hold me down while he interigates me.
'Observe'
Tahir
Tahir is a sadistic, psychotic voilent person who has undying loyalty to Rias. He serves as Rias's right-hand man, cheif enforcer and one of the two sub leaders for the bandit faction. The other sub-leader is Karim. He is resposible for commanding and co-ordinating air DROP recovery parties, tax payments, training and the delivery of the GRE data drive to the bandit factions holdout within sector zero.
I blink at that. GRE? Data drive? Must be what Kyle was sent in for. I really should use observe more.
Rias pointed Tahir to get me, he came forward and hoisted me to my feet before checking my restraints. Luckily, or unluckily, I havn't actually broken them yet. Once he had confirmed I am still unarmed and restrained, he went and grabbed a metal folding chair, placed it at a table before I was told to sit.
Once I sat down he moved to the side of me to watch. Rias was observing me the entire time. Guess I was just too calm about this entire situation. I actually am feeling nervouse but it seems the Gamer's mind is helping me keep a straight face some what. I can't suppress emotions on a dime but it is still there to help keep me level headed somewhat.
Rias had grabbed himself a chair, placing the implement infront of me to see, before stippling his his hands and staring at me. Intimidation and interogation tactics 101, the only thing he is missing is the bright light.
"So firstly... Where do these undersiders take the Antizen DROP's they aquire?" Still think he doesn't believe my spiel. I could almost hear the sarcastic quotation marks when he said undersiders.
"There are a few safehouses within sector zero they are moved to" I say while thinking of the safezones you locate within the game. Not sure where they faction actually sends their supplies. The best I can do is half truths.
He gives of a hmmm at that. He seems to send a glance to the big guy before a fist met my face.
-19 PA
While I was busy shaking my head and acting like that hurt, the big guy backed off.
"I can tell that you are lying. You have taken the DROP's yes, but you have not told me where you have hid them. So I will ask you again. Where is my Antizen?" He asks me again with an edge to his tone.
Fucking hell. I know I'm a terrible liar. That was why I was trying for half truths. Stupid shitty charisma score.
"FUCK!" I scream. "I already told you. They are in the sewers, likely being distriputed to the populace." I then meet another stronger fist to the face
-31 PA
That actually disorientated me a bit.
"Now that is not something I like to hear boy. Your 'Undersiders' have not only stolen from me, but have cost me some of my most loyal men." He then grabs the machete on the table and gestures to the galute standing beside me who suddenly grabs my hands and places them on the table.
"So I will ask you this. Your left, or your right?" He says before the big guy holds me down. He stands before cutting the rope. Tahir then forces my hands apart on the table.
"I thought you said I wont end up like that other guy you delt with?" I question him with a hint of nervousness in my voice. Shit has escilated too fast for my liking.
-49 PA
I'm once again slugged across the face before I was forced to look at Rias. Just glad I can't feel any pain while PSI armour is working.
"I will ask you one more time... Left, or right? Don't make me decide for you." Fuck it! No choice now.
I grab the blade in this hand using T.K before ripping it out of his grasp. He stumbles at the sudden imbalance before I quickly send the blade spinning at his neck.
+208 EXP
His head comes off with a dull thud. Tahir suddenly yells at that before he lunges at me. With the binds undone, I quickly face him and grab him with T.K. By this time the guards outside had barged in to see what happened. I then send Tahir flying at them, slamming them into the wall. I had long since leveled it up enough to the point I can lift and throw people around.
A quest promped had showed up not long after that, I quickly dismiss it. I will worry about it once I'm in the clear. The big guy had gottten his bearings and grabbed one of the guards rifles before pointing it at me. I simply yoink it out of his hands before grabbing him telekinetically and slamming his head into the roof.
+527 EXP
I uh... Was not aiming to break his neck but it can't be helped. I quickly drop his body before making my way to the door. I check the guards to see that they are unconcious. Looking out into the room, I see a few more men aiming their guns at me before firing.
-109 PA
-123 PA
-138 PA
"Shit!" I jump back into the room. Some of the bullets pinged off my PSI armour. At least I know I can tank a few of them.
I grab one of the rifles before waiting a few seconds for my PA to recharge. I peek around the corner to see that they have taken cover. Just hope they don't warn the rest of the base. Really glad I only have to focus on fighting in one direction though.
I take a breath before going back to Rias. I check his body to see if he dropped anything good. He had a handgun with some ammo along with some Antizen and his machete. I could hear the men making their advance in the hall. Ok... combat experience with real people. I'll resort to powers if I get over whelmed. Need to conserve my PSI for my PSI armour and emergencies.
One of the men kicked the door in before aiming a shotgun at me.
+87 EXP
I unload the rifle into him before reloading and head to the door. I place my back to the door before comming around the corner. Some of the men peaked out to shoot at me.
+72 EXP
+50 EXP Head Shot!
- 108 PA
I manage to get a head shot before I am shot in return. I quickly kneel before waiting for somone to pop their head out.
89EXP
96 EXP
101 EXP
-121 PA
Ding!
Damage Resistance leveled up!
I make my way out of the hall into the under ground parking garage. I take cover behind a police SWAT van before peaking around the corner. A large group of men had started entering the from the upper floor. I come out of cover and unload my clip at the people entering the room. I take out 8 men before my clip runs out before I am forced to reload and take cover.
87EXP
90EXP
97EXP
89EXP
79EXP
101EXP
The remaining large force of men had taken cover on the other end of the carpark before they start firing at my position. I wait for a pause in fire, instead I hear something clang and roll near me. A blue DIY grenade landed by my feet. I panic and grab it using T.K before flinging it in the direction it came from before ducking and covering my ears.
89EXP
96 EXP
101 EXP
87EXP
90EXP
97EXP
89EXP
79EXP
101EXP
90EXP
97EXP
89EXP
129 EXP
There was a resounding chain of explosions before the building seemed to shake. There was a dust cloud and crashing sounds coming from the source of the explosion. Fear gripped me as I braced my self against the van, waiting for the dust to settle.
I look around the corner to see absolute carnage. The grenade seemed to set of some of the cars they were hiding behind. Not only that but a cement suport beam had collapsed along with some of the roof. The fucking idiots are using explosives underground. I'm lucky the place hasn't caved in on me.
There were tremmors as the roof started to crack. I was about to make a break for it before it stopped and settled. Thank god since I had to go back and retrieve the data Tahir had on him.
I was gripping my chest while making my way back to Tahir to see if he had the data on him. Next to his body was another item bag drop. I pick it up before another promped greeted me.
Quest Item Aquired!
I open my inventory to see one of those blocky terabyte drives sitting within a slot. I click on it to get a better look.
Quest Item!
GRE Data
This drive contains data on the Harran Virus. The data consists of the formula used to create the virus. Along with it is a partial data on a treatment for the virus and incrimidating evidence for the use of weaponising the virus and selling it to the highest bidder.
Jackpot! I think the partial data on of the treatment might be the Antizen. It's unfinished though, resulting in a antivenom more then a vaccine. The main reason this data is so important was the evidence that the government was to blame for this. Rias originally leaked the information after he grabbed the doctor who had the formula for the completed cure, the only thing that actually kept them from destroying the city after the leak in information.
I might be able to bargain my way out of here with this data. Though I don't plan to actually give up the data. Might give the formula for Antizen to the tower. But first I plan to take out this compound and yoink their supplies. No point leaving a job half done.
I go about and start collecting any crates and barrels lying around the place. I won't know what they contain until I crack them open, even using observe doesn't tell me whats inside. There were two police SWAT cars within this room. There were a few crates chock full of amunition and weapon racks with guns on them. All now within my inventory before going about to the corpses to see what they dropped.
I was only half way through pillaging when the lights suddenly went out. I was able to memorise the room well enough to get behind cover to try to figure out what happened. Did the explosion cause this? Not likely, other wise it would have happened sooner. I hear the barest sound of footsteps comming from the only entry into this level. That's right! Rias's men have night vision. They used it to ambush Kyle when he was down here.
I have no light source on me right now nore any way to locate them in the dark. I wait until the footsteps get close enough to me before I duel wield fire ember and throw it around the corner.
There were suprised exclamations and even some agonising screams as a man who was closing in on my position ran past completely alight. I start gathering more before I throw them at random in order to not only light up the room but to distract them enough to get off some shots.
I ignored the EXP gains and the smell of coocked flesh to shoot at the attackers. They were panicking at the sudden appearance of bouncing physics defying fireballs to have even taken notice of me before I took out most of their numbers. Those that I had not taken out with gunfire were burned alive by my fireballs. To think that Mario throws these around like they were fucking bouncy balls. The screams and smell of coocked flesh was bloody horrifying. I will never look at a Mario game the same ever again.
After the attack, I layed low for a while to try to deal with what I just did. I just killed a bunch of people. Its not the people who I killed humanly that is bothering me, that was just self defence. But the image of the people trying in vain to put out the fire. Watching them scream and agonise from burning alive was something I simply could not look away at. It feels like I have food poisoning. A horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that would not go away. I cover my nose as best as I can while trying to forget what just happened.
I didn't even notice the lights comming back on as I was huddled against a crate. I was holding myself, curled up with my eyes firmly shut. Trying to get the image out of my head. I was brought out of my stupour by the sound of more men entering the room. I heard cries and exclamations of horror from them. I bit back a curse at this before pulling out two rifles from my inventory and sitting them on the crate I was hiding behind. I aimed both at the collected group of men while using T.K to hold the guns steady before emptying both guns on them. Quick and efficient. I don't want a repeat of what just happened if I can help it.
There was only two survivors. They were on the ground injured but still alive. I made my way over to them, they saw me comming. One of them tried to shoot me but I simply grabbed the gun out of his hand using T.K before silencing his cry of suprise and fear by aiming it at them and firing.
119 EXP
106 EXP
I braced myself against a wall as I started to dry heave. But even then that was short lived as I could hear more men making their way down from above to my level. There were three levels in the under ground parking garage and I was still on the lowest level. I pull out a bottle of water to drink down before I quickly threw that back up.
"Hear that?" I heard being quickly silenced before the sound of movement was quickly cut off. I then take another drink from my water before stowing it and re equiping a rifle. How many more waves of men do I have to fight? There was the sudden shout of "Contact" before gunfire rained down on my position.
I groan at that before checking my PSI levels to see that my time trying to cope with the sudden shock has replenished my reserves. A lot of people would complain about my bitchiness about the free EXP, but these are not simple zombies. Even if they are assholes who are more then willing to kill their fellow man for a quick laugh, I still felt guilty about setting them on fire like that. There was another grenade thrown my way before I grabbed it and tried placing it within my inventory. Seeing as it worked, I won't have to worry about another chain explosion.
"Where the hell is the explosion?" I heard one guy shout out. " Hey dumbass! Did you even pull the pin on it this time?"
This time? I take a peak at the source. "Of course I did! Here look!" He yells while giving him the finger with said grenade pin on it.
"Well at least you didn't throw the pin instead" I hear a response in exasperation.
"Fuck you! I only did that once!" He seemes to rage back, only to be met with taunts and laughter. Wow! I thought I was a dumbass.
I take the distraction to pop out and shoot several men before they return fire. I took a hit before ducking back down and sighing. How much longer is this gonna take?
I counted six waves of men. If they lost contact with one group, they sent in another. Lambs to the slaughter. There have been more idiots willing to throw grenades at my position but I quickly shoved them into my waiting inventory. They are getting desperate by the looks of it if they are willing to use explosives in an underground carpark filled with supplies.
The waves had finally stopped. Guess they finally got the hint and are likely waiting in ambush above. I take my time to replenish my reserves and grab something to eat while I store anything of value. I find another SWAT van, this one how ever had a few sets of body armour and even a gas mask. They don't seem to have been converted to what Rias's men originally have on.
'Observe'
SWAT gas mask helmet
A gas mask used by SWAT members. Used in tandum with gas grenades to nullify threats.
7 Defence points
4 Fire resistance points
Protects user from harmful gasses and fumes.
This seemed to include the helmet and Under armour fire retardent hood. I also have a few night vision goggles that the other men used earlier. They seem to be part of the SWAT tacticle gear.
SWAT GH level 3A Body Armour.
Standard body armour equiped with an Active Shooter Kit
16 Defence points
Observe Levelled Up!
The body armour had heaps of pockets attached to it which were the Active shooter kit. Basically what they use to store their gear like ammo, grenades, life saver hammer, combat knife ect.
Tactical Knuckle gloves
Gloves used for both protection, unarmed combat along with grip and flexibility.
2 Defence points
+ 3 DEX
Original SWAT men's air 9 combat boots
State of the art combat boots that have the feel and flexibility of athletic foot wear.
+ 4 Defence points
+ 5 AGI
Placing the boots on, they felt even better then the joggers I just had on. They were very durable and felt lighter then what I was expecting.
Tactical Knee pads
Skid resistant, high density rubber with thick soft foam padding that adds proteciton, flexibility and durabilaty.
+2 Defence points
+1 DEX
+ 1 AGI
There were also elbow pads with the same description and stats. They are equiped in set. I could equip one knee pad for instance but it would only give me one DP and no bonus in DEX and AGI. I have to equip both for the set bonus.
Black SWAT Utility BDU (Battle Dress Uniform)
The basic shirt and pants uniform set worn under the armour and SWAT gear.
+ 3 Defence Points
+ 5 AGI
I equipped the entire set before I was greeted to another pop up.
Complete Set Bonus:
+5 Defence points
+ 8 to movement speed
+ 8 to gun efficiency
+ 10 to melee damage
I whistle at that. Even my old clothing didn't see to have any stats to them. Flexing and bending within the new gear, I give a sigh in appreciation in my latest find before looking for a way back to the surface.
Too risky to take the elevator, gonna try the stair case. I find the door to the stairs but they won't budge. Seems they only plan to let me up through the elevator where they can shoot me the second the door opens.
I try my luck with the car park but it too has been blocked off with vans and even a truck. The doors were on the other side of the blockade so I couldn't climb over or get through the doors. Not sure I want to risk blowing the vans up... Elevator it is.
Checking the elevator, I see a maintenance hatch at the top. I close the door before opening the hatch and pressing the button to the first floor. I climb up the hatch and wait for the elevator to reach the top floor. The second it dinged there was a roar of gunfire. I waited for them to stop before I pulled out the already primed grenades from the inventory and throwing them all out the door. There was a quick shout of "GRENADE!" But it was too late.
121 EXP
112 EXP
99 EXP
103 EXP
111 EXP
89 EXP
90 EXP
102 EXP
110 EXP
101 EXP
112 EXP
99 EXP
103 EXP
111 EXP
121 EXP
112 EXP
112 EXP
99 EXP
103 EXP
111 EXP
At the kill confirmation I quickly equipped a shotgun before jumping out of the hatch and aimed at hall. There was blood and guts everywhere. Not surprising seeing as I threw seven shrapnel grenades out the door at once. Glad for the gas mask since it filters out the horrible stench of blood and death.
The room was in complete ruin. It seemed a lot of the men were waiting in ambush for me instead of just rigging the elevator itself with an explosive or something. I don't even know how many I have killed so far. I lost count somewhere over a hundred. It has gotten to the point where the kill count is no longer people but statistics. I feel incredibly uncomfortable at the thought, like I'm no longer human.
The rest of the building was about empty of people. Karim was no where to be found, likely to have evacuated. I went about the building in search of stragglers and supplies before heading outside. The only people left where the sentries at the gates who were quickly disposed off. The huge stash of Antizen that Rias had outside as a show of power was quickly placed within my inventory before I headed out the front gate.
I give the place one final look before preparing a fireball and blowing open the fence surrounding the building. Its to let the undead claim the hideout in case more of the bandit faction return. With that I quickly run for it as the sound of the incoming horde made their approach.
Kyle Crane POV
I was promised Antizen if I got the antenna towers working again. Good thing is now that they are back online, the rest of the people within the area now have radio signals they can use. I had even gotten word from Rahim that The Tower now has a signal and are capable of keeping contact with their runners and safe zones. Not only that but Doctor Zere and Doctor Camden are capable of sharing research with each other. Meaning they are now close to a break through for a cure to the virus. I just have to make my way back to the compound for the Antizen.
Oddly enough I haven't received word back from Karim ever since I arrived to the second tower, and its not like I have their contact number myself. As I was closing in on the compound, I heard an explosion and the sound of virals closing in. I quickly climbed the railway bridge and hid in a train compartment just as the virals passed me by. They were heading in the direction of the compound. I wait a minute for the frenzy to die down before climbing on the top of the compartment to see what was happening.
"What the hell..." There was a horde of zombies that had converged within the fence perimeter. It looks like the explosion was the cause of the wide gaping opening within the fence line. I could see no guards on watch.
I quickly call Brecken to let him know whats happening. "Brecken you there?"
"Yeah Kyle, did you get the Antizen? We could really use it right now. People are getting really sick now."
"That's why I'm calling you. There is a breach in the compound. I think there was an attack."
"WHAT!? What do you mean an attack? No one is equipped or crazy enough to attack his stronghold." He was panicking now. But he wasn't the only one. What if Rias gets away with the data or its stolen?
"You need to get in their and get some Antizen. Even if you have to steal it while they are busy. We can't wait any longer Kyle." He pleads.
"I get it Brecken. Remember I need the Antizen too. I'm more then motivated to get some."
Breken gives out a tired sigh " Just, take care. We can't afford any more time. If we don't get some soon were in big trouble."
"Copy that Brecken. I'll get us that Antizen don't you worry." I hang up before quickly calling the GRE to inform them of the latest development.
"Krane..." There was a brief pause before I heard a response."Report!"
" I came back from a job Rias gave me. The thing is when I got here there was an explosion and the fence has a hole blown in it. There are infected milling about inside the perimeter. I think there may have been an attack."
"... Are there any signs of hostiles?"
I pull out a pair of binoculars I found on a roof top. I peer through them to look for signs of life. I find non.
" Non visible from where I am. There aren't even any lookouts posted."
"You need to go inside to investigate. We NEED that file. If the information on that file is leaked, it could cause catastrophic damage world wide."
"What is in the file any way?"
"Classified. It is a need to know basis. You just worry about retrieving that file. It holds the answer to stopping the virus."
I hold back a groan of frustration at that. "Great... Krane out." Looks like I have no choice in the matter. I'll need to find another way inside to avoid the infected.
I was currently standing in front of The Tower, trying to come up with some idea of what to do. I had not long ago received a quest update:
Cause and Effect!
Make contact with Kyle Crane
(Optional) Meet with Brecken and give The Tower Antizen supplies.
They were both things I had planned to do but if I recall Kyle was sent on errands by Karim. Around this time The Tower will have an out break on one of the floors since they have no available Antizen. I might be able to appeal to them by giving them Antizen and gain their trust enough to meet with Kyle.
I was feeling a tad bit nervous though. Sure Gamer's mind takes the edge off and even got rid of my PTSD and anxiety but I really am not good when it comes to talking with other people. I can be pretty thick headed and oblivious when it comes to social interactions, making it difficult to talk or relate to others. There have even been time where girls have outright told me they liked me and wanted to go out. Still went over my head and it has only been recently have I looked back on the situations with regret.
'They wanted the Dee Nick. THE DEEE!' Were my only thoughts at the time. I am without a doubt, fucking stupid.
Autism pretty much stunts any means of understanding and empathy of others, this makes me incredibly awkward to be around or so I have been told. Its the main reason I simply sit in the background and stay quiet. I prefer to listen and observe other people instead of being the centre of attention. Even then the intricacies of social interaction are beyond my understanding.
"Guess I'll wing it." Deep breath Nick. You can do this... Probably.
I'm still donned in my SWAT uniform. Being concealed will help hide any form of nervousness I am feeling and maybe give myself an air of mystery. I walk to the front of the entrance only to be stopped by one of the guards.
"What do want stranger? We want no trouble, something that looks written all over you." Tell me about it.
"I'm here to speak to the leader of The Tower. Got some Antizen on me that I'm willing to trade." I place a hand into one of the vests pockets before retrieving a vial of Antizen from my inventory and showing him. He blinks at that before I hand it over to him.
He inspects it before calling for another guard. "Take this to Lena for her to verify." The other guard nods before heading back inside.
"Verify?" I question him.
"We have had trouble with fake Antizens before. If this is another fake you will likely be held for questioning." The informs me.
That's right. There was a quest in the game where some people were gathering empty vials of Antizen and filling them with random chemicals. They would have been fatal if given to the sick, elderly or children.
I'm ushered inside but not before my weapons where taken from me. I had a rifle strapped on my back along with the ceremonial sword on my hip. More as a show then anything. I was taken to a small room within the first floor. Its the same one with the store and bed. The man calls for more guards before I am told to wait in the room for Brecken.
Third POV
Lena was given a vial of Antizen to verify from one of the guards. He told her that there was an unknown man currently being held downstairs until the Antizen is identified as fake or real. If it is real then she will have to inform Brecken. If fake, then the man will likely be taken in for questioning. The Tower doesn't want more drug dealers to put up with.
She checked the labels of the vial before moving onto the substance. The container not only looks authentic but it doesn't seem to have been opened. There are no signs of tampering visible on the bottle. This may very well be the real deal. She will need Dr Zere's opinion on the matter just in case it isn't. She calls for another guard to send the vial to the good doctor before going to inform Breckon. He will notify them through radio about its authenticity.
She makes here way up stairs past the panicked and over worked people on the way. There are people who are starting to show signs of turning, this new person could make or break not only the situation but the moral of the people within the tower. Nodding to a guard out the door, she walks in to find Brecken arguing with Jade.
"You can't Brecken! The tower NEEDS you here". Yells Jade
"We don't have much of a choice Jade. There is no one else currently available. I need to go to the compound to get some Antizen. With word that the only source of Antizen has been attacked and likely raided, people are in a state of panic. We don't have much time" Explains Brecken, currently being blocked off from the door by Jade.
"Whats this about Rias's compound being attacked" Lena, the towers medic suddenly asks.
They both look at her before Breken explains it to her. " I got radio conformation from Kyle that there are signs of an attack on Rias's compound. He went inside to investigate but he found no signs of life or Anziten. Some one raided the compound and took the supplies."
"How is that possible? Not only that, how could they make of with several dozen crates of supplies?" Lena questioned Brecken. There was no known group within the city capable of rivalling Rias. Even The Tower doesn't have the man or firepower capable of taking out The Compound.
"I'm not sure Lena. Kyle is on his way back, he can explain it in more detail." Lena was about to respond before there was a crackle over the radio.
"Brecken, its Doctor Zere. Its about that Antizen sample Lena sent me. It is indeed real.
Brecken and Jade send a look to Lena. "It was the reason I came up here. A guard informed me that there was a man downstairs who claims to have Antizen. Says he was willing to trade." She informs their questioning look.
"Trade for what?" Questioned Jade in hostility. She doesn't trust who ever this person is already. Antizen is the most precious resource around. Not only that but the timing is incredibly suspicious.
"Do you think he may have a hand on the attack? Asked Lena looking to Brecken.
Brecken was tense. They need Antizen now more then ever. For all they know, they could be dealing with another faction with more power then Rias. They could very well have been behind the attack. Whats stopping them from attacking The Tower in the same manner?
"Bring the man up. Make sure he is unarmed and unharmed. We can't afford to send him away or lock him up in case he works for who ever attacked The Compound."
Just as Jade was about to rebuttal, Lena responded. " I know you don't like the idea Jade. But right now we have no other choice.
"But we-"
"Shes right Jade" Brecken interrupts. "We were ready to make a deal with the devil himself. Do you really want to make an enemy out of the people who successfully taken out said devils stronghold?"
"No... We can't." She replies scathingly. "Do you know if he has any more Antizen on him Lena?
"Not sure Jade. But it might be possible to convince him for enough to treat the people in need." She replies unsure about the whole situation. Just as she finished that, there was a knock at the door
Standing at the door way was a man dressed in a tactical uniform. He seemed below average in height but that was all they could make out about the man.
"Gday!" He says in an all too chipper tone with a casual wave. "Here to trade some of me Antizen. I'm even willing to give a down payment seeing as you are in dire need of some at the moment."
