Checking my gear over one last time I prepare to leave the mansion behind and head into town. Walking out the front I activate the defense’s and designate a patrol for the bots and drones don’t want unfortunate to happen while I’m gone but it never hurts to be prepared. It takes about 4min of walking to get to the edge of town following the small road from the mansion. From here I have to be extra careful, other participants are teaming up it seems and I don’t have the luxury to be caught off guard.

If only I can find the two I decided to partner with from the first test, but the chances of that are slim to none on such a large map. Well maybe I might be lucky enough to run into one of them and then we can work towards winning. Rifle up I slowly move from cover to cover checking my corners and blind spots. Everything is quiet with the occasional squeak of a shudder moved by the wind, and the sound of combat in the distance most likely past the hills north. 

The town is partially destroyed scarred by bullet holes and explosions the occasional wall crumbled from stress. My destination became the church in the near center of town, that’s where most of the heavy fighting has taken place over the past few days and hours. The conflict seems to never be resolved. I wonder if it’s because of special resources or just because people naturally head there, following the sounds of the battle of just because it’s the center of town. 

Well, it matters not I’m sure to find someone or something their ether way. I continued my journey unopposed but I did find the remains of various participants along the streets and in buildings, stripped of their important gear and left to rot. A nasty sight that almost made me gag this is one of the parts of war I can never get used too. As I moved on the thought of never-ending war leaked into my mind, that this is my future from now till death whenever that may be. (This premonition was a moment that forever imprinted into my mind never to be forgotten because it indeed came true.) 

Only 250ft from my destination the area between me and the church was completely visible. It was a plaza connected by three streets with the church at the center corner. The plaza and the buildings around it seem to the economic center of this small town. From my position, I can see a food and goods market right In the middle. I took a second to decide the best approach going down the street is suicide so it’s either through the buildings or side alleys. Weapon up I went for the building closest to me maybe I can scout more before committing forward more.

Slowly approaching the back door of the establishment I stacked to the right of the entrance. Putting my rifle down for my pistol for quicker response time. Reaching for the knob I slowly twisted it hoping its open, and it wasn’t so I reached for my lock picking kit. Which I found on the body of one of the guys who attacked the mansion. Good thing I have training for this or It would be completely useless. After a minute of wiggling around the tools in the lock, it finally popped open. I slowly pushed it open “Squeak” the door at the last second decided to make a loud noise and in this quiet plaza was like a siren going off telling everyone someone is here come shoot them. 

I bolted in checking my corners and the hall and dove into a side room. At a quick glance, I found no one was here. Deciding to cover my rear I  placed a laser smart bomb next to the door on the wall where I came through it only responds to enemies and not me so If I run back through it no explosion but others won’t be so lucky. Leaning out the side room I checked up the hall there are two more rooms on this floor and then a floor above lets the this slow and careful. 

One foot in front of the other walking silently heels first I checked the first room from right to left exposing as little of myself as possible. “Empty” I moved on to the next room doing the same it was also empty. I reached the front lobby where the outdoor and steps up were, I slapped another smart bomb next to the front door. Switching back to my rifle I proceeded up the stairs gun always pointing at the blind spot above and to the right. There was no trouble so I continued to clear out the building checking every room. Finding nothing I decided to set up in a room that had a clear view of the plaza and church. 

My initial scan showed nothing but after a few moments as I looked closer I discovered some others lurking in the shadows of the buildings. Most of them seem to be looking in the direction of the church but others continue to look at the various positions of the opposition. “Well well well now this is a little complicated standoff.” I  spotted two people but I’m sure there are at least 2-3 more who have hidden better. Then there's the church I'm positive someones in there or these people would have rushed it already. 

So overall I have 6-7 enemies all at different locations of the plaza and whoever fires first becomes the focus of the others. So what to do they know someone else has honed the party thanks to the loud door I came through or at least they suspect. So complete surprise is not in my playbook but I can still create opportunity through the chaos. The question is how….. I check my inventory and see what I have on hand. 

‘(Insert equipment tab)

Ok so I don’t have anything majorly impressive that can turn the situation around but I do have a plan.  The church is the focal point so if something happens there that can serve as a distraction I can take advantage and eliminate some competition.  But first I need to plan my escape if this goes wrong so I made some preparations and then set my sights for the bell tower specifically the bell in the tower. Loaded with the blade rounds that should be silent enough not to draw attention to my position. I then proceeded to barricade the door to my room and set up a barrier in front of the window so it’s harder to shoot in from the front. Laying my rifle on a table to give myself a good firing position behind cover I set up for the shot. 

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The bell was shining in the evening sun giving the church an even more sacred feel, it’s too bad it’s been desecrated by war and now me. With a suppressed “poof” Sound my blade round was released and struct the bell a loud gong sound flooded the area followed by the classic sound of the ringing bell. With a quick movement, I turned my sights to a building on the right of the plaza north of my position. In the window of the third floor was one of my competitors who foolishly came out of cover, drawn by the bells but before I could someone else took a shot on him. A spray of blood was all that I saw what remained of his head was just torn shreds of flesh and bone. 

 I froze shocked by the sight before me processing it was slow then lightning fast my brain catching me up before I even realized I ducked down. An action that in turn saved my life well virtual life. A large crackling snap sound was all I heard before something flew above my head and smashed into the wall behind me. Leaving behind a large three-inch hole in the wall with spider web cracks spreading afoot around the impact. The barrier I placed on the window was gone and in pieces, that’s when reality hit me I’m not the best or most experienced out here. If anything I might be one of the smartest but for sure not the smartest someone just capitalized on my plan and then almost took me out with it. 

Sounds of gunfire and explosions sounded throughout the surroundings the party has started and I almost got a permanent dis-invite. And whoever it is has a large gun…..I looked to the wall….”A very large gun.” I crawled to the back window its time for my exit I'm not risking my life on this one. The plaza turned into a disaster zone it seems I caused more chaos than expected. But well what do they say cowards live the longest I’m out of here. At the back window, a rope was placed I secured it to the frame and tossed it out the window, then secured it to my waist hook with a good tug I tested it. 

But…..it broke….. the rest of it falling out the window….”Darn, it darn it all! This stupid test with bad ropes.” I threw the leftover rope in my hand out the window then turned to the door. The door that I barricaded to prevent someone from sneaking up on me. “So I guess I’ll just hang around for a little while.” Ok, new plan hunker down and wait out the major fighting, counter snipe that plan stealer, and then take all the glory. I inched closer to the desk I was at initially that sniper could not have seen me but from a few angles if I can determine where I can get them back. 

Inspecting the hole in the wall that went through one more wall…. man gives me chills down the neck. The angle of impact suggests he can only be north or northwest from the window as that’s the only way he could have seen me. I was too far in the room for others to see me from different angles. So now patience as a hunter needs to be in order to catch anything. An explosion went off too the left somewhere so west and I’m fairly sure I saw an arm flying through the air afterward “eww”. That's nasty glad I’m not out there had to be at least 10-15 people In the area for the fighting to be this intense. 

Once again setting up my gun I searched for the mystery shooter, there are only about seven buildings that can see my window including the church. So, of course, that’s the first place I look and what do you know there is someone there in the window below the bell. He must have been hiding earlier, but after my little bell toll he jumped out his hole. He seems to be wielding a heavy compact rifle, not a sniper but at this range, he might as well be this whole area is in the golden range of his weapon. Plus if he has good gun sights he can see anyone fairly easy. That must be the special prize that this location provided but he has to have limited ammo or else this would not be a balanced test. Good thing he’s currently distracted by someone to his right so nows my chance. 

I reload some regular rounds there is no point being quiet now and these will provide some extra stopping power. “You going to wish you got me earlier, should have double-tapped me” I lined him up and aimed for his head “Bang bang bang” sending three rounds out. They were off a little bit but hit him, his armor tanked the first few hits that went to his chest the last round struct his shoulder joint disabling his arm I could see the blood splatter from here.  Hahaha he won’t be using that heavy rifle anytime soon, but I spoke too soon a few seconds later he was back up and aiming towards me but I suppressed him sending five more rounds towards him. Ducking down he went back behind cover but not before shooting some in my direction trying to get me.

His shots were all off a little because I gave him no time to aim but they still slammed into the room all around me sending drywall and debris flying through the air. I lunged to my belly and stayed in cover not that I’m sure it would help much with that guns penetrating power. I need him out of the fight I think now is the time to use my heat rounds theses should give him a burning surprise. I reloaded with heat rounds and prepared to peek out of cover. I rolled to my right straight out of cover aiming up to the tower “ Shwap bam “ rounds were exchanged he shot two at me obliterating the desk and floor next to me. While my shots hit true slamming into him releasing heated gas and shrapnel igniting his armor and burning holes where it impacted.

The resulting chain reaction was something I could not have predicted he proceeded to fall backward and not but a few seconds afterward cause an explosion that completely decimated the church and an area 100ft around it. Sending heat and debris 200ft into the air which ignited several houses and shops in the plaza.  All sound stopped beside the flames as I’m sure anyone in the area was caught off guard by the unexpected event.

“Come on! what is this an action movie all the loot was in there.”