Alarm’s rang throughout Gamer Man’s lab, startling him out of the zen he had settled into, inscribing the magic circle into the program. Gamer Man switched on his police scanner, panic rising within him.

“-engaged them in open combat! Repeat! Calling all units! This is Officer Landers, requesting backup to Fourth and Princeton! Executive gang members are moving out in force, an unidentified gang has engaged them in open combat!”

Gamer Man leapt up, sprinting to the front of his house, ready to-

There was a car in his driveway, and not one he recognized. It was black muscle car with tinted windows. The engine was running.

Gamer Man raised his stun stick and warily approached the car. He still couldn't see a driver-

"Get in the car," Stone Cutter demanded, his voice crackling in Gamer Man's helmet.

"Who are you?" Gamer Man asked, watching as the passenger door opened.

"Stone Cutter," he answered, "Now get in the car."

"You're real?" Gamer Man asked, stepping into the car.

"Very," Stone Cutter replied.

The car pulled away as Gamer Man buckled up.as Gamer Man worked on the seat belt, chafing against the hard plastic seats.

“You really spared no expense,” Gamer Man muttered.

“This is a crime fighting machine,” Stone Cutter chided, “You’re not going cruising.”

“Where’d you set the waypoint?” Gamer Man asked.

"You are going to the conflict you just heard about on the radio," Stone Cutter said.

"Woah, as much as I enjoy questing, I'm worried that's too high level for me," Gamer Man said, "Besides, don't you work with someone else? Gargamel, I think?"

“Gargoyle,” Stone Cutter spat, “He and I had to part ways. Gamer Man, for all that you’re you, I see the makings of a great- of a pretty good hero.”

“Hey!” Gamer Man grumbled, “I’ve been doing more than pretty good.”

“Well today you’re going to do better,” Stone Cutter instructed, “The police are out gunned-”

“So I’m going in there to serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law?” Gamer Man guessed, “Wouldn’t I be outgunned.”

The car jerked to a halt, shaking Gamer Man in his seat.

"If I was wrong about you, feel free to leave," Stone Cutter seethed, "If your goal is to be a hero, we can discuss battle plans on the way."

“Look, I never said I wouldn’t do it,” Gamer Man said, “Is backup coming?”

“You are the backup,” Stone Cutter said, “I will be providing tactical support. Priority one is civilian rescue, priority two is moving wounded officers to safety, priority three will be defeating the warring gangs.”

“What kind of weapons do they have? The new gang, I mean,” Gamer Man asked.

“Heavy pistols and submachine guns,” Stone Cutter said, “Homemade explosives. Roughly one third of them are wearing kevlar vests. I’m seeing a lot of hand made weapons, nail bats, machetes, wood cutting axes-”

“Violent hardware tools,” Gamer Man mused, “I’ve never tested what caliber of bullet penetrates my armor, are you sure I’ll be safe?”

“Since when is superhero work safe?” Stone Cutter asked, “The police officers down there aren’t wearing swat gear, but they’re still willing to fight.”

“I’ll give it my all, but I’ve never trained with firearms,” Gamer Man explained, “I don’t know if any loot drops there will help me.”

“If you don’t have training with firearms, do not use them,” Stone Cutter instructed, “Prep for contact. ETA two minutes. You’ll be arriving at the corner of Second and Princeton, law enforcement dead ahead. Meet with Chief Maxwell for a sitrep.”

A panel opened up next to Gamer Man’s seat. He thought it was some kind of cup holder.

“In there is an ear piece, grab it,” Stone Cutter commanded, “I’ll be able to communicate with you without having to hack your systems.”

“I would appreciate that,” Gamer Man said. The car jerked to a stop, and a door swung open without Gamer Man touching anything.

Gamer Man pressed the tiny radio into his ear and leapt out of the car, striding up to the officers. Even with his bright blue armor, Gamer Man stood out among the officers. He stood with his back straight, and his shoulders pushed back. His eyes were bright and he smiled confidently. The officers, clad in black body armor, were hunched and huddled around barricades, weapons ready, and eyes alert.

A block away, a group of ambulances were parked in rows, with impromptu medical tents being set up.

“I’m looking for Chief Maxwell,” Gamer Man announced.

“Get down,” a gruff man ordered, “Who’re you?”

“I’m Gamer Man!” Gamer Man said excitedly, scooting next to the officer.

The crowd of officers groaned and swore.

“Are you Chief Maxwell?” Gamer Man asked.

“Listen kid,” Maxwell answered, “Vans of SWAT teams are on their way, just stay here and you’ll be fine. Probably.”

“Do you have a list of missing officers?” Gamer Man asked.

“No? I don’t have a list of officers on duty who are here,” Maxwell barked, “All available units are being called in, we’re working on setting up a perimeter.”

“I’m tracking multiple civilians hiding in a building five blocks down,” Stone Cutter said, “Get to work.”

Gamer Man started down the stress, ignoring some of the “Your funeral” remarks and the shouting from Chief Maxwell.

The heavy scent of gunsmoke finally reached Gamer Man’s nose.

Gamer Man ran down the street, shock baton at the ready. The place was mostly run down apartment blocks with the occasional liquor or convenience store every other block.

“Any enemies?” Gamer Man asked.

“You’re clear,” Stone Cutter said, “But hurry. Eight hostiles are coming in from the West.”

“Loud and clear,” Gamer Man said.

Gamer Man reached the apartment Stone Cutter told him the civilians were in, thankfully it was on the first floor, and a scowl briefly crossed his features when he went for the door handle and found it was locked.

“Hey, It’s me, Gamer Man,” Gamer Man explained, knocking on the door, “I’m here to rescue you.”

“Get out of here!” a man shouted.

“Look, I’m a superhero-” Gamer Man started.

“I’d rather wait for the cops, now go home! I bet your mom’s waiting for you!”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Hey, listen, nobody likes a toxic flamer,” Gamer Man said, “But there’s bad guys coming here! Police have set up barricades a few blocks from here. I can escort you there.”

“What part of-” Gamer Man ducked as a bullet whizzed past him, the crack of gunfire cutting off the man.

“Protect the civilians!” Stone Cutter ordered.

“Side door!” Gamer Man shouted, feeling a surge of power as he activated his haste charm, rushing at the thugs with springing steps. The gun toting thug fired at Gamer Man twice more, both shots going wide, before Gamer Man was in their midst. Gamer Man’s shock baton slammed against the gunman’s wrist, forcing the man to drop the piece. The crowd surged toward Gamer Man, and his shock baton and enchanted agility kept him out of their reach. Seeing a shift in the press of bodies, Gamer Man wrenched the gunman forward, twisting his arm behind his back and forcing the man to his knees, before launching a shock coil. The coil wrapped around the man’s wrist and ankle, hogtying him as Gamer kicked the gun away.

A monkey wrench wooshed over Gamer Man’s head as he ducked, and Gamer Man responded with a swift jab to the thug’s jaw, sending the man staggering back. More weapons came flying at him, a two by four swung for Gamer Man’s ankles as he backed away, a tire iron swung towards Gamer Man’s back as Stone Cutter told him to dodge, a machete thrust at Gamer Man’s chest and sparked off his shock baton.

“Civilian rescue!” Stone Cutter ordered, “Now!”

Gamer Man slammed him shock baton against a thug’s ankle and delivered a heavy kick to his chest, sending the thug tumbling backwards as others worked to stumble over him.

Gamer Man raced for the apartment door, smashing it open with a kick and ducking low as he saw the glint of the civilian’s pistol.

“We’re leavi-” Gamer Man said, hearing the sound of glass shattering and the “Fwoosh!” of fire starting, “We’re leaving now! Follow me!”

The man shouted something in protest, but Gamer Man ignored him, and the man’s protests died as he saw the encroaching thugs. Gamer Man strode for the back of the apartment, rapping his knuckles against the walls.

“Is anyone else here?” Gamer Man asked, “If there is, bring them here, now.”

“Got a few kids,” the man grumbled, “And the missus. I’ve got an extra piece, you want it?”

“I don’t have firearms training,” Gamer Man explained, pressing his hands against the walls, “I don’t want to accidentally hurt anyone. Bring the rest of your family down.”

As the man left, closing the door and calling for his kids to come down, Gamer Man took a few sharp breaths.

“Come on, power armor,” Gamer Man muttered. Gamer Man kicked against the wall, smashing through the cheap plaster and stopping on the wooden frame. Gamer Man shifted to the side and launched another kick. Beneath the sheetrock was aging two by fours, and Gamer Man smirked when he saw nothing load bearing. Gamer Man kicked at the wood, watching it splinter and bent against his boot.

The howling roar of the thugs grew louder, pounding against the door, and Gamer Man attacked the wall with renewed vigor. Finally, he had created an opening just barely wider than his shoulders.

The father returned with three kids and his wife. A young boy looked up at Gamer Man with wide eyed disbelief.

“Through here, go,” Gamer Man ordered, “I’ll take up the rear. Get moving, we don’t have time.”

The apartment door broke into splinters as three thugs barreled through it. Gamer Man dove at them, pinning one under his boot as he slammed another against the door frame.

“Go!” Gamer Man barked.

Thrown bricks crashed through the apartment’s windows, and Gamer Man could see more thugs spilling through them. A club struck Gamer Man in the chest, shoving him backwards. The thugs Gamer Man had been standing on swiped a hand at Gamer Man’s feet, and Gamer Man pulled his foot back and kicked the man across the face. A hand grabbed Gamer Man’s shoulder, and instinct drove Gamer Man to thrust his shock baton behind him and twist forward. As Gamer Man stumbled forward, another thug launched a heavy punch towards him. Gamer Man threw an uppercut, connecting in time with the thug’s fist, sending the man tumbling to the ground as Gamer Man stumbled back.

“Priorities,” Gamer Man mumbled, running for the hole in the back of the apartment. As Gamer Man neared the corner, rushing past the thugs, gunfire rang through the air. Three bullets slammed into Gamer Man, rising from his lower back, to his shoulders, and the back of his head. The impact shook Gamer Man, diving for the hole in the wall.

A hand helped Gamer Man up as he crawled through the hole, all five civilians were safe and accounted for.

“I heard gunfire,” the father said.

“One moment,” Gamer Man said, striding towards a couch. A thug had poked his head out of the hole as Gamer Man rammed the couch against the wall.

“We’re getting out of here,” Gamer Man asked, unlocking the door and peeking outside, “What’s my route?”

“Exit to the right,” Stone Cutter said, “It will be the shortest route back to the barricade.”

“Follow me,” Gamer Man said. Gamer Man stepped outside and waved the family forward. The air was heavy with acrid smoke, gunfire echoed all around Gamer Man, and roars of combat seemed to surround him.

But for now, the streets were empty.

“These guys got a name?” Gamer Man asked, his eyes and shifting about as he stalked forward.

“They have made no announcement regarding organizational name or intent,” Stone Cutter explained, “Someone is tracking you-” Gamer Man shot a look over his shoulder. “Take a left at the corner.”

Gamer Man directed the family down the street, peeking around corners and keeping the family moving in single file behind him.

“Whoever’s tracking you is speeding up,” Stone Cutter said, “Turn right.”

“Hurry,” Gamer Man said, waving the family forward, “Go!”

The thump of boots on pavement rang through Gamer Man's ears, his hair was standing on end, and his skin had formed goose bumps. His eyes swept over as much of the street as he could, swiveling about in their sockets.

"I've got a bad feeling," Gamer Man said, speaking through clenched teeth, "Let me know if you're picking up anything." Gamer turned to the family. "Hey, listen! Are any of you feeling stressed out?"

"We're running from an angry mob," the mother said, "And our apartment is burning down."

"I meant other than all that," Gamer Man explained.

"You don't have time for this," Stone Cutter said.

"Other than my entire livelihood burning down around me?" the father screamed, "I'm doing great!"

"Keep moving!" Stone Cutter ordered, “Target is closing in!”

The man turned around. The guy had to be at least seven feet tall with a body built for violence. He wore a leather vest that showed off his tanned abs, jeans, spiked leather boots, fingerless gloves, had a double barreled shotgun strapped to his waist, and a motorcycle helmet. The helmet was black, and had two crudely welded devil horns curling up and back. He was chasing down Gamer Man at a dead sprint.

“Run!” Gamer Man ordered, “Now!”

The man was gaining on them, Gamer Man knew. As the giant closed the distance, Gamer Man could feel his heart beating harder, his brain pounding in his head, his teeth clenching tighter, and his muscles tightening in response to-

In response to something, Gamer Man wasn’t entirely sure what it was. It wasn’t quite fear, and it wasn’t quite rage. Gamer Man lead the family around a corner, staying by the entrance to ambush the horned giant. It wasn’t hard to guess when he would arrive, Gamer Man just waited until he thought his heart would explode from whatever the man was doing.

It had to be the most powerful swing Gamer Man had ever swung, but his shock baton bent backwards against the giant’s bulk. The horned giant staggered with Gamer Man’s attack, and Gamer Man felt his aggression surge. It was instant gratification, bodily slamming the giant against the brick wall, kicking out the giant’s knee, landing a heavy kick against the giant’s head that smashed him through the brickwork. With every strike Gamer Man landed, he felt relief and relaxation flood over him, only for the stress and frustration to come back in force.

“You got a name?” Gamer Man demanded, watching the giant stand back up. He was going to enjoy watching him fall back down.

Gamer Man launched a spinning roundhouse kick, but the giant’s hand snapped up and caught the kick in a crushing grip. A crowd formed around them, chanting “Hell Seeker! Hell Seeker! Hell Seeker!” Gamer Man hopped up, spinning around for a second kick, only for Hell Seeker to whip around and slam Gamer Man into the pavement. Sparks filled Gamer Man’s blurred vision, and Hell Seeker pulled him into the air by his ankle.

Hell Seeker's fist crashed into Gamer Man’s stomach, pulverizing armor plates and powered servos and knocking the wind out of him. Hell Seeker swung his fist again, sending spiderweb cracks through the wall Gamer Man was pushed against.

Hell Seeker pulled his fist back once more, pausing when the mother and father opened fire on the giant. Gamer Man watched the bullets struggle to penetrate Hell Seeker's skin. It got his attention, and little else.

Hell Seeker dropped Gamer Man to the ground, turning to face the family Gamer Man had fought to protect. As Hell Seeker started to run, Gamer Man started to limp, desperation pushing him forward more than anything else. When Hell Seeker stepped onto the street, Gamer Man watched helplessly as Hell Seeker was run over.

“Huh?” Gamer Man muttered, watching the heavy, black muscle car ram into Hell Seeker before plowing through a building.

“Prepare for extraction,” Stone Cutter said.

“Are they safe?” Gamer Man asked, his voice heavy with exhaustion, “Are the people safe?”

“I coordinated with law enforcement,” Stone Cutter said, pulling the car up to the alleyway entrance, “Police cruisers have picked up the family, and they’re being escorted to safety.”

“Where are we going?” Gamer Man asked, stumbling into the car.

“You are injured, and unfit for combat,” Stone Cutter said, “I will not unduly endanger you. You are going home.”

“Oh,” Gamer Man said.

“You performed above expectations,” Stone Cutter said, “I did not account for Hell Seeker when I sent you in.”

Gamer Man said nothing, letting the pain of multiple bruises, and likely a few cracked bones, flow over him. His mind kept going back to the adventurers. He knew that the adventurers would have walked out over a pile of corpses, Gamer Man had done the same across multiple MMOs and open world games. Gamer Man had fought with the explicit goal of not killing people, he was a hero and not some psychotic warrior. Gamer Man knew what the adventurers would say, if they had been there. The rioters and Hell Seeker had been trying to kill Gamer Man, and the adventurers would have solved this by killing everyone else first. They would even make the case that people were trying to kill them, even if Gamer Man didn’t think anyone could kill them, and defended themselves.

Questions of morality, what was right and wrong, tumbled around in Gamer Man’s mind. One idea rose above the rest. He needed to finish the power frame, or he was going to die.