[Gray Shadow Wolf.
Type: Shadow.
Rank: Mid
[Traits: Lvl 3 defense, Lvl 2 mobility, Lvl 3 offense, Lvl 2 vitality]
It was a type of mid-tier monster that had both high defense and high offense. That meant it was able to easily resist multiple gunshots; with a mobility of 2, it would give any person a hard time to dodge its strikes; and with an offensive of 3, it meant that even if your bones were made of iron, a bite was enough to end you. With a vitality of 2, it meant that just 1 or 2 good slashes with the plasma knife wouldn’t be enough to bring it down.
It’s still weak, but better than anything else in this place.
Darius went in on his own, and this attracted quite a bit of attention.
"Did that guy enter by himself?"
"Maybe he’s up against a lowest-ranked monster. But still, isn’t it a bit dangerous?"
"Y-yeah. Just in case, let’s take our guns as well."
"And do what? This is reinforced glass."
Each arena was placed inside a cage, around which normally stood the comrades of the one who entered, ready to shoot the monster dead in case things turned out to be too dangerous. But outsiders could observe as well; another wall of reinforced glass surrounded every arena, so anyone could see what happened from outside.
"Maybe he has a death wish?"
"Then why do it so flashy? That’s pathetic."
"Attention-seeker."
Be it guys or the girls, everyone was either confused or disgusted by Darius’ actions, everyone thinking that no matter the skill or confidence, one should never go inside the arena alone.
However, the reason why Darius went in alone wasn’t because he wanted to prove something to others, nor because of some grandiose plan, but simply because everyone he asked to help had other plans.
Why do I feel like I’m suddenly the bad guy now…?
He felt weird because so many eyes were glaring at him, but he decided to just focus on his opponent.
-GROWL~…-
"?!"
"W-wait. Isn’t that a Gray Shadow Wolf?"
"It’s mid-tier!"
"And he went solo?! What a moron!"
A commotion began outside the cage, but Darius paid them no mind, and just as the wolf appeared, he took a lower stance as he reached with the knife forward while lowering the gun for a surprise attack.
-Ggrrrr~-
The monster started going around Darius while waiting for the best moment to strike. Darius, on the other hand, continued to observe the wolf while he stood still, leaving the wolf to find its best spot while only following it with his eyes.
It will continue going around until it reaches my back. If I were to follow it’s gaze, the wolf would be harder to deal with since it would hold its guard up and strike carefully. If I leave my back open, it will disregard all defenses and go for the kill.
What made Darius so confident in facing stronger monsters that otherwise no sane human would dare face was the amount of knowledge he assimilated. Each monster had their own fighting style, their own move sets, and their own special abilities. Knowing all their cards, Darius only needed to foretell their next move based on the monsters' behavior, something he easily memorized.
Not only did he know all of these from his past life, but the game also integrated many mechanics, with almost each type of monster having its own mechanic and combos. And because of this, he easily knew what would happen the moment the wolf croutched, showed its teeth, and let out a low growl.
As Darius stood still, the wolf finally reached behind his back, and seeing how he wasn't turning, the wolf quickly dashed towards Darius and flew right towards his back.
Got you.
Expecting this, Darius quickly turned and stabbed the plasma knife into the wolf’s neck as he turned with a sidestep, then plucked it out as the wolf brushed by him, the wolf landing on all four again and turning furiously towards Darius.
It was a fatal strike, and although dying, the wolf had no intention of going down alone.
Come, I know you’re not done.
Because of the severe injury that was leaking black blood continuously, the wolf disregarded all defenses and rushed towards Darius once again. By all means, it was a quick as a jaguar, but Darius’ eyes were quicker, and he already knew what the wolf wished to do by the moment it turned back.
Crouching down, Darius leaped forward as well and surprised the wolf, making it instinctively open its jaws wide to bite. But that’s exactly what Darius wanted, as he quickly jumped to the side while at the same time aiming his gun.
-POW!-
He had time to shoot one bullet right inside the open mouth of the monster that barely brushed by Darius with a speed akin to a cannon shell.
Not letting this moment slip, Darius quickly pouched at the wolf that was having trouble with the bullet stuck in its esophagus, and in a flash, he inserted his own arm deep down the wolf’s throat. Because its jaw was opened to the maximum, it was unable to gain any force to bite Darius’ arm off. But even if it had that force, there was no time for it to even react as Darius quickly spun the plasma knife inside the wolf, ravaging all the organs in the area.
-GROAH-
Black blood splashed on Darius’ armor, then the wolf’s body fell unmoving, slowly turning into dark smoke. The blood also started to evaporate into dark smoke, making Darius frown since he had no gas mask on.
The dark smoke was toxic, and anyone who inspired it risked being intoxicated by miasma. But Darius already knew of ways to keep the miasma outside his body. At the same time, he was also holding his breath and waiting for the blood to completely evaporate from his body.
"Sigh~"
Afterwards, he was completely clean. His armor around his arm got a bit scratched by the wolf’s teeth after he inserted it down its throat, but other than that, there were no evident traces of a fight.
After the flawless victory, Darius was still frowning annoyed. He wanted to test out his skills to the fullest, but it seems that a mid-tier monster was still not enough to reach his limits.
Of course, that didn’t mean the Gray Shadow Wolf was weak. On the contrary, what saved Darius was his great experience and knowledge of this type of monster, since he had to fight against them numerous times in his past life. He was also restricted from using his gun since the wolf’s hide was impenetrable. The knife was strong enough to penetrate iron plating like butter, but barely anyone would use it in combat with a monster above Low-rank, since nobody wanted to risk being run over by a monster that was strong enough to pulverize cars.
His quick judgment, calm mind, and knowledge made Darius turn a ferocious battle against a Gray Shadow Wolf into a game of tag.
"Well, this wasn’t enough to completely test out my body. But I guess it was still better than fighting a low-rank monster."
He got out of the arena, and unaware of it, he also left behind a wide-open-eyed crowd staring at him, completely baffled.
.
The next day, everyone was researching and working with explosives, learning how to install mines, how to throw grenades, how they all worked, how to dismantle them, how to use rocket launchers, and so on. But, rather than learn, it was more of a training to raise their speed, since they all knew all of this long before.
Then, they were separated into two teams and made to simulate a real fight between each other. It was literally airsoft, while the grenades were paint bombs. If the limbs were hit, then that limb was no longer to be used, but the player was still in the game. If anything else other than the limbs were to be hit, then the player was dead and had to leave the area.
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Each one of them was allowed to bring with them: two grenades, a primary weapon, a secondary weapon, a knife (a plastic one), and a usable.
The usable had to be chosen between more options, those being: a first-aid kit so anyone who had their limbs hit could use the kit and move them again, using it either on himself or on his teammates. A binocular with a heat detector, useful against camouflaged targets. A ghillie suit for camouflaging. Two booby traps. A bag with four more grenades.
"I’ll be taking the ghillie."
"I take the binoculars."
"The bombs are mine!"
"I’ll take the traps, thank you."
"…Guess I’ll take the first aid then."
Since his teammates had already chosen their roles, Darius remained with no other option but to take the first aid kit.
The one who took the ghillie had as a primary weapon a sniper, more exactly a JNG-90. He took a ridiculously powerful sniper for some reason.
The one with binoculars also had a sniper but was semi-automated: QBU-88. It wasn’t as strong as the JNG-90, but it was much more mobile. Adding the heat-detecting binoculars to this weapon was the best choice.
The one with the traps limited himself to a personal defense weapon, an MP7. A weapon mostly used for guerrilla warfare. A quick trigger and a speed of 950 bullets per minute.
The one who took the bombs decided on a light machine gun. A QBB-95-1 more exactly, used to put pressure on the enemy with 75 bullets in each magazine.
Darius, on the other hand, decided to go with the good ol’ assault rifle, the SAR-21. A stable rifle with great accuracy and medium range.
After everyone was ready, they went to a rundown factory covered in vegetation and took their positions.
The main sniper instantly wanted to go towards a large hill beside the factory, but Darius immediately stopped him.
"Is there something wrong?"
The sniper asked confused and Darius pointed right behind the factory where another large hill was visible.
"Before you go to the most obvious sniping point, how about you make sure that your enemy didn’t think of the same idea so you can be the first to make the kill? Being a sniper, you will have our backs at all times. So rather than focusing on watching your enemy, why not focus on watching us and coordinating us from the rear?"
"… You want me to be the commander?"
"Wouldn’t that work perfectly? The worst part would be to have our backs exposed."
After the guy thought for a moment, he nodded and pointed to another hill, which, although with poorer vision, was the best spot for having his teammates in sight.
"Alright, that sounds good."
Afterwards, Darius looked at the semi-automated sniper and pointed at some bushes.
"Since you have the binoculars, you would be the hunter who exposes the sniper. So I suppose your main objective would be to watch out for any possible snipers or campers."
"That’s exactly why I took the binoculars. No worries, I can do this."
"Heh, I guess this guy became the lead. Then, what should I do?"
The man who took the bag of grenades and light machine gun asked with a wide grin, and Darius immediately answered.
"You’ll be the main force, the tanker, and together with Zac and I, we will infiltrate the factory and secure the area. Since you’re holding the greatest firepower, I would want you to aim for the main entrance. Meanwhile, both of us will go for the sides and quickly infiltrate through the windows."
Glancing at the one with the MP7 he just called Zac, Darius continued.
"As the trapper, I will need you to secure the left entrance and the stairs to the main tower. Be sure you all take care of yourselves first and foremost. And if the worst happens, try to only get shot in the limbs. As the medic, I will come to heal you as fast as possible."
"Deal!"
"Roger that."
Both the machine gun bearer and the guy with the MP7 named Zac answered affirmatively; everyone now going for their own positions.
[Comando in position. All clear. Over.]
[Hunter in position. I see nothing yet. Over.]
Hearing his teammates’ reports, Darius nodded and gave out the signal to his two teammates, the tank in the middle while the medic and the trapper to the sides.
Go!
Signaling with his hand, the three of them carefully threaded through the woods and towards the factory. Although careful, their footsteps were quick, wanting to get behind cover as fast as possible. After they reached right behind the factory’s main entrance’s door, the tank quickly threw in two grenades, and after exploding, he rushed in, going for cover while at the same time observing the area for any possible enemy.
The trapper quickly rushed through the side window, and after making sure nobody was around, he went towards the left entrance and placed down a booby trap. Afterwards, he rushed up the stairs, careful just in case there were already any traps placed.
Hmm, things are going a bit too smoothly? Just what is…
He started to feel like something was wrong when, suddenly, from outside the window of the tower right beside him, a ball struck his shoulder, making him hiss in pain. He quickly hid for cover as he took his gun out.
[I’ve been hit on my shoulder. Changing to secondary. Over.]
On the other side of the factory, Darius heard the report and was also taking cover, a few bullets barely missing him. The bullets went through the factory’s windows, and if not for a container he hid in, he would’ve been done from the start.
[Shots fired from the right side of the factory as well. We’re surrounded. Over.]
[Did they give up the factory for a pincer attack? Over.]
[Most probably. Commander?]
[I-I see nothing!]
The group was in a predicament since the enemy knew their location, but they didn’t know the enemy’s. At this point, a careless move and everything could go down the drain. However, a report then made the others feel some hope.
[Hunter here. I found a sniper. Over.]
[Medic here. Where is he?]
[To 3 o’clock. He’s aiming at you, medic.]
[And what are you waiting for? Take that bastard down!]
[Wait.]
The tank was annoyed by the hunter’s inactivity, but Darius quickly thought of something else and noted down his position in his mind, then asked the commander.
[Commando, anything moving from 9 o’clock?]
[I’m looking. And I found another one. Over.]
[Good. At my command, take him down. Over.]
[Roger.]
[Hunter. Keep your eyes on that guy. The moment his companion gets killed, report to me on his movements. If he’s persistent in taking me down, kill him. Over.]
[I understand you’ll try something after commando? Roger.]
[Hey hey what about me?!]
[Tank, secure the north entrance of the factory. Let nobody enter through that door. And Trapper. Change position after the signal.]
[Aye!]
[Roger that.]
When everything was made clear, Darius prepared and said calmly,
[Now.]
-POW!-
The commando shot out, and the helmet of the hostile sniper got slammed hard.
[Target down.]
The next moment, Darius rushed outside the container and towards the backdoor, together with the tank. Right after, he received a new report.
[Hunter here. Target changed aim, and he’s looking after commando. He has a binocular!]
[Quick, take him down!]
Hearing this, Darius grinned and instantly gave out the command. From everyone else, the one who was able to detect you even after being completely camouflaged was the most dangerous. So if the one Hunter spotted was the one with the binoculars, then that was for the best.
[Target down.]
[Good job, both of you. Trapper, be on the lookout for anyone who might search for Commando. Tank, secure the north, and be on the lookout for the western windows.]
[Damn man, I don’t have two heads! Roger!]
[I will be going north-east and secure the windows. Hunter. You’re my cover. Report immediately if you see anything. Commando, keep an eye on our backs and west flank.]
Although annoyed, the tank did as told and stood with the back towards the west, trusting it to Darius.
Right after, another report came from Hunter.
[A riffle on the east gate!]
[I got him.]
The door opened and a grenade was thrown inside. However, both the tank and Darius were under cover, so there was no danger. Right after, a soldier rushed in, and Darius was the first to intercept him, a few bullets being enough to finish him completely.
"Heh, I should’ve trusted my gut."
The shot-down rifleman smirked and dropped an already unpinned grenade right in front of Darius like a dead mean would, making him curse out in distress.
"Fuck!"
He jumped behind cover once again, but one of his legs got tainted, needing some time to take off the paint with his med-kit.
-BOOM!-
The left entrance’s booby trap detonated, and another person ended up covered in paint, being disqualified in a moment.
[Heh. I’ll think of that as the payback.]
The trapper chuckled in the radio, making the others also grin amused.
[I see a shadow at the window!]
The tank reported, and in the next second, he threw a grenade outside the window. Coincidentally, a grenade was thrown inside at the exact same moment, making the tank stare at it baffled.
[Shit!]
-BOOM!x2-
Both grenades exploded, and the lower part of the tank was covered in paint. He tried to kick it away and jump for cover, but because of his heavy weapon, he moved a bit too slowly, ending up hiding only his upper part of his body while both legs were covered in paint.
[Commando, where’s the target?]
[Uninjured! Hiding behind the factory.]
Most probably he had the same reflex as the tank: to kick away the grenade and hide.
[He’s still in the North. I’ll go.]
Darius said this and quickly jumped out of the window and turned mid-air, seeing a guy who was barely regaining his footing. Most probably, he just got up after jumping for cover. In simpler terms, Darius’ timing was just perfect for a surprise attack.
Got him.
Before landing, he shoots a few bullets mid-air that land on his arms, and after rolling, he quickly shoots another round to completely finish him off, winning the math with two injured and five alive.
Well, that was fun.
[Target down. Good job team.]
[Good job all.]
[God damn it… I almost died.]
[Oh? You got hit too?]
[Both legs busted.]
[Pfft.]
[Woah-?! Don’t tell them!]
After the airsoft game finished, everyone went to eat and then resumed their training, when:
[Squads 1, 2, and 7, assemble!]