Yet again he woke up very early, threw together a heavy breakfast (because Ma was still asleep), put on his gear, went to Octo Valley, met up with the Cap'n and prepared to get reamed by the octarians.
It seemed that despite yesterday's scare, there was always something waiting in the wings.
Thank god for respawning.
And he hadn't even reached the first boss yet!
He's all but certain that he wasn't meant to be in this position; the original Agent 3 would've been as into Turf Wars as most inklings were, so he would've been better "trained".
Unfortunately Cal's committed now, so his being in the equivalent of a few pickup games would have to do.
As he thought this, he hit a couple of octos from behind, making sure to not only keep shooting even as they turned around but also throw a bomb. They managed to get off one or two shots but missed.
Don't attack. Just kill. If they even get the chance to fight back you're doing it wrong.
He got the feeling that he was gonna need to apply that philosophy to his entire career.
/
"The Boss Kettle's open! Now get in there and good luck, Agent 3!"
Well.
The first was supposed to be the Octostomp. Easy, but given his luck so far there was going to be some sort of curveball.
Let's just get it over with…
/
As soon as he spawned someone tried to snipe him. He rushed to the launchpad, receiving only a little damage, and made it to the main arena, where the Octoweapon was already active and barreling in his direction.
It was faster than anything that size had a right to be, and spreading ink to swim in was difficult because the shots kept coming.
Octosnipers or octolings with chargers. Either way they had good timing.
Move.
He had the default Hero Shot, so no countersniping.
Oh good he avoided being squashed—
/
he got splatted as he was shooting the tentacle—
as he was inking what was left of the paneling—
as he tried to catch a breather below the arena—
as he moved in purple ink—
as he went under the Octostomp—
as he tripped—
/
He was moving the literal moment he respawned. A few steps to the launchpad, then to the arena.
Keep running, can't do crap about the snipers.
The Octostomp slammed down, but this time he cleared it with some space left over and just kept moving, not stopping even when he inked the side of the boss just a little.
Leave some ink, you'll need somewhere to refill.
Cleared the Octostomp again. Cutting it closer. Add more ink as you go.
Again.
And again.
Climb.
It's not a straight shot to the tentacle as much as three separate bits of ink. Still, he jumped and reached it.
One down. Jump off or they'll shoot.
How many chances does he have in total? Obviously more than three.
How many are left? Cal doesn't know.
Run.
Same as the first only with less space to ink.
It's paradoxically easier.
He still almost dies, though.
Third go around—
He turns into a squid just in time for the shot to pass over him, but comes really close to being crushed.
Can't slow down.
Octostomp's stomping like thrice in a row.
Damn moving panels; he's already been thrown off!
At least the tank's somewhat refilled.
Come on!
Run n' gun, avoid everything.
There's the chance.
If he'd started swimming a second later he wouldn't have reached the top.
Shoot the tentacle and then—
Fucking finally!
The explosion was the most satisfying thing Cal had ever seen, and seeing the entire platform covered in green was a close second.
/
"That was real frantic, Bucko."
The other nodded, not in the mood to even speak.
"Want to rest?" asked Cuttlefish, gesturing to the cabin.
And that's how the two spent time sitting until nightfall, with Cuttlefish telling stories of his youth and Cal simply listening.
It was nice.
/
A/N: I'm actually considering a timeskip. If I keep writing it'd be more of the same " Splatoon single player but extra difficult and Agent 3 is shit". Maybe I'll skip to the Octo Expansion and just do the highlights with flashbacks.