A gun shot rang out through the silent morning air, seconds later a orange balloon monster popped out of existence as it was ripped apart by the 12 Gauge Slug. It's leathery skin flying everywhere.
"Boom Motherfucker! I still got it Haha!", shouted Linux while the echo of the sonic crack sounded through the grassy land in the background. After racking the Pump-action shot gun. The empty shell flying out of the chamber and landing on the soft grassy ground.
Linux looked perplexed when a sudden notification popped up on his interface. The perplexed expression soon turned into a smug one as Linux read the text message coming with the notification.
"Achievement unlocked, Long Range, (kill an enemy outside the effective range off your current weapon)".
"Finally, all the days at the range payed off", though Linux to himself as he kept his eyes open for more Balloon monsters.
Suddenly Hearing footsteps from behind him, he perked up and made himself ready to blast what ever poor sole dared trying to sneak up on him.
Breathing in deeply he calmed his nerves. Mentally counting to three he waited. And waited. And then turned around, aiming the barrel of his 'TrenchBroom' at the unknown attacker.
His eyes widened as he squeezed the trigger. The firing pin hit the primer and ignited the gunpowder inside the Shell, sending a barrage of Buck shot out of the barrel. The pallets would have hit the Shield hero who was the one who snuck up on Linux, but Linux pulled the barrel to the side in the last possible moment, sending the buck shot into a nearby tree.
Naofumi went down on his knees and shielded his face with his hands. He was shocked into silence and didn't move from the spot.
"Fucking Christ!", yelled Linux. Naofumi didn't answer but instead started to tremble in shock.
"You... you almost shot me", muttered Naofumi.
"You stupid Motherfucker, why'd you sneak up on me like that?!", said Linux outraged while standing up on his feet.
"Y... you almost killed me...", said Naofumi again.
"God damnit...". Linux ran his fingers through his hair as he grew frustrated with the shield hero. "Get your shit together man, don't start to freak out now".
"Freak out... FREAK OUT?! YOU ALMOST SHOT ME YOU... YOU... YOU ASSHOLE!", Naofumi shouted, his arms falling around as his face showed anger and shock.
"Oh fuck... Why the hell would you even sneak up on me like that you stupid shit", Linux Countered, his voice rising as well.
Naofumi glared him in the eyes, not finding an answer to the question.
Linux urged him to say something with a gesture of his hand but there wasn't anything Naofumi could say because he knew, Linux was right.
"Fuck you", Naofumi uttered finally and turned around to go back to the spot where they had slept the night before. Linux couldn't but smirk at the remark, knowing he'd won. The win was short lived though for when he heard the Radio crackle up.
"Observer this is Station, how copy?".
Linux stole a glance at the retreating form of Naofumi before pressing the PTT, "Station here observer, solid Copy send traffic".
"Observer this is station, we have a new main Operation for you in the Observer Story line. You can either decline and take over the main Quest from the Hero Story line".
"Uhh... copy station, let me think for a second", replied Linux as he checked the operation's requirements and rewards.
"Copy that Observer, we're holding".
"hmm... the Observer Story would give me more stuff to call in, for example I could call in an A-10 strafe and even UH-60 For air support. The Hero story line would boost my Wizard powers and with that unlock more summons and casting spells. I can't decide...", Thought Linux. He paced around in a circle, not knowing what to pick. Then he took a look at Naofumi, who was gathering his stuff and throwing it i to his Inventory.
Then he looked into each Quest description, "Hmm... Observer Operation, Defeat the Magus empire (Castle will be marked by fixed waypoint). And the Hero quest, Get to the Three Heroes Church and find the Hourglass (Location will NOT be marked by Waypoint). Okay, interesting. With my current strength I can absolutely forget to defeat that Empire. I'd rather level up my summons and casting spells". Linux thought to himself as he made up his mind and pressed his PTT again.
"Station here Observer, I decline the mission for now and go with the Heroes quest".
"Observer this is Station, Roger that. Just give us a call if you need something, Station out".
"Copy that, thanks Station, Observer out". With that Linux made his way to Naofumi who still wad pissed at the American.
"Yo shield Hero! We're Oscar mike". Naofumi spun his head around, a confused and annoyed expression covering his face.
"Who's Oscar and who's Mike?", asked the Shield hero.
Linux was stunned into silence, seconds later he formed a Knife hand and opened his mouth to insult Naofumi, he eventually decided against it, for their Friendship's sake.
"Just...", Linux sighed, " just get fucking moving. A new quest just arrived".
Linux rolled his eyes at Naofumi's confusion. "Oscar Mike means 'On the Move,' you dingus. We're heading out to the Three Heroes Church."
Naofumi's face contorted in a mixture of irritation and resignation. "Fine. Let's get this over with."
The two set off through the dense forest, the morning sun casting long shadows over the dew-covered ground. As they walked, Linux couldn't help but fill the silence with his usual sarcasm.
"You know, Shield Hero, if you keep freaking out every time I save your ass, we might as well call it quits and let the balloon monsters win."
Naofumi huffed, not looking back. "You didn't save my ass. You almost blew it off."
"Details, details," Linux said with a smirk. "Besides, you've got that fancy shield. Pretty sure it could take a few pellets."
As they trudged on, the forest grew thicker, and the air filled with the sounds of wildlife. Despite the tension between them, they made decent progress. After a while, Naofumi broke the silence.
"Why do you always act like you don't care about anything?"
Linux raised an eyebrow. "Who says I don't care? I care plenty. Just not about whining and complaining. We've got a job to do, and I'd rather do it with a smile. Or at least a smirk."
Naofumi shook his head. "Sometimes I wonder how you ended up here."
Linux laughed, a genuine sound that echoed through the trees. "Long story short? Wrong place, right time. Or maybe it's the other way around. Anyway, we're here now, and we've got quests to finish."
As they approached a clearing, the towering structure of the Three Heroes Church came into view, its ancient stones covered in ivy. The place had an eerie, yet majestic presence, standing as a testament to the passage of time and the countless heroes who had come before them.
Naofumi stopped, taking in the sight. "Do you think we'll find answers here?"
Linux shrugged, adjusting his grip on the shotgun. "Answers, loot, maybe a couple of new scars. Who knows? Only one way to find out."
They moved cautiously towards the church, the heavy wooden doors creaking open as they pushed their way inside. The interior was dark and foreboding, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and candle wax.
"Stay alert", Linux whispered, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Places like this always have a surprise or two."
Naofumi nodded, gripping his shield tightly. "Yeah, I got it."
As they ventured deeper into the church, they came upon a large hourglass encased in a glass cabinet. The sands within it were almost completely drained.
"Looks like we've found our hourglass," Linux said, stepping closer. "Now we just have to figure out what to do with it."
Some steps appeared our of nowhere and materialized in between the two platforms, effectively connecting them. Linux and Naofumi looked at each other with curious expressions.
"Ladies first?", Linux offered, a smirk growing on his face.
"Yeah, fuck you", retorted Naofumi with a dismissive wave of his hand. He took the first step and began walking up to the massive glass structure. Linux watched in anticipation, ready in a moments notice to pull his gun and start shooting shit up if things go south. To his relief though, nothing happened.
"Wow...", Awed Naofumi, as he stared up. "What is it?", asked Linux, his voice laced with anticipation.
"Come... and take a look", Said Naofumi as he kept staring at the hourglass. Reluctantly Linux stepped up and followed the instructions provided by the shield hero.
As he stood at the foot of the massive Hourglass he waited... and waited... and waited. "What's happening?", Linux asked, now more confused than ever.
"What do you mean? Didn't just a big ass timer appear on your Heads-up display?", answered Naofumi, his confusion also growing each second.
Linus raised an eyebrow and opened the admin pouch on his wrist, "You mean this timer?", he asked, gesturing to a timer on the right upper corner of the screen, "I had it the whole time".
Noafumi head a deadpanned expression pointed at Linux. "Hey don't look at me like that. I had no Idea what the fuck it actually meant".
Naofumi just shook his head and stepped down again. "What did I do to deserve someone like you!?", he muttered as reached the last step.
"Oh shut up. You actually like me", said Linux with his sarcastic tone returning to his voice. He looked one last time at the timer before he closed the admin pouch again. "One day, thirty-six minutes and twenty seconds left... alright", muttered Linux before he also stepped down and off the plattform.