5 feel the reaper

Steve headed back to the lab to carry out his tasks, while Edward hopped back on his bike and rode cautiously to the rendezvous point, maintaining vigilance for any signs of suspicious behavior in case of a multi-wave attack. Once he arrived, he briefed the team on the recent events, recounting the details of what had transpired. They informed him that he would have a week of rest before being deployed as a sniper to Southern Tunisia.

During his week-long break, Edward was provided with food and money for accommodation. He spent his time much like any other, except for his training regimen, which now included knife handling and judo instead of boxing. He recognized the importance of these skills for his current mission. Edward's physical abilities continued to improve, exceeding typical human limitations. His strength had increased to the point where he could curl 325 pounds with each arm for a few reps before fatigue set in. Additionally, he could sprint at maximum effort for hours on end. Most notably, his memory and healing capabilities had undergone significant improvements.

Edward's enhanced healing resulted from his willingness to subject himself to minor self-harm to push his body's limits and adapt to injuries. While it went against his natural instinct to avoid harm, he persisted through the pain, using needles to poke his skin. He gradually progressed from thin store-bought needles to larger sewing needles, observing visible healing without any scarring.

His memory exhibited a constant passive growth, as humans naturally absorb information through their daily experiences.

After his week of rest, Edward was flown 40 kilometers near the base where he would be deployed. He was driven by a reserved British man whose name remained unknown to him. Upon arrival, he received immediate orders from a commanding officer.

"Soldier, what's your name and specialty?" the officer demanded.

"Edward Hodges, sir. I was told I'd be a sniper, sir," Edward replied.

"Well, then, get your weapon and move quickly. You have 30 minutes to head out, or I'll shoot you myself. Is that clear, soldier?" the officer sternly warned.

"Yes, sir," Edward responded, scrambling to don his equipment and head to the designated vehicles. However, he was redirected to a different route, avoiding enemy detection as a sniper.

Edward reached the improvised trail and sprinted swiftly along it, maintaining a low profile. The sounds of gunfire filled the air, accompanied by the nauseating scent of blood and death. Witnessing the gruesome scenes through his scope, he pushed forward, covering himself with dirt and leaves, then carefully concealing any scope reflection with a small triangular black cloth.

When he settled into position, he focused on his shot, steadying his breath. He targeted a sentry gun operator atop a tank, aiming for a clean shot. With an exhale, he pulled the trigger, propelling the bullet towards its target. It struck the man accurately, piercing through his ribs and puncturing his heart, instantly ending his life.

Excitement mixed with disgust coursed through Edward as he witnessed the result of his shot. Despite his extensive imaginings of battle and the stories he had read, nothing could truly prepare him for the act of killing another human being . At that moment, he felt immediately guilty. However, he recognized the need to remain calm amidst the chaos. Panic would only lead to his demise, and he wasn't ready to die just yet.

Regulating his breathing once more, Edward surveyed the individuals within his sight, searching for the most significant threat. He spotted a man ruthlessly gunning down six or seven individuals with a handgun, grabbing their weapons to continue his killing spree. Edward fired off a shot and missed, as the man seemed to have felt the shot coming and dropped down right when edward shot. Edward re-lined up his shot, taking into account the man's instinctual movements. He adjusted his aim lower, knowing the man would drop his body when in danger. Edward guessed that the target wasn't entirely normal, similar to himself, so he remained cautious in case the man could detect his location, even from a distance of approximately 2,100 yards.

Exhaling once again, Edward pulled the trigger. The man instinctively ducked, but his reflexes betrayed him. The bullet struck him in the center of the spine, piercing through his lungs and killinghim nearly instantly.

This pattern continued for several hours as Edward effectively picked off enemy combatants. He had already expended half of his bullets, taking down 47 individuals. Being a sniper, it was a significant number of kills, but Edward aimed to maximize each shot by targeting vulnerable spots and lining up multiple targets in a row. With 30 rounds remaining, a higher count than most snipers carry, he still had time to contribute further.

In the ensuing hours, Edward utilized his ammunition strategically, eliminating 25 more enemy soldiers and leaving three others severely wounded. There were only two instances where his targets perished before he could take his shot.

Word of the mysterious sniper who seemed to appear out of nowhere and rapidly neutralize high-value enemy personnel began to spread among the German army. They dubbed him "Reaper," an enigmatic figure who struck fear into their ranks.

As the days went by, Edward's reputation grew, and his impact on the battlefield became more pronounced. He carried two bags with him—one for ammunition and the other for essential supplies—allowing him to sustain a higher rate of fire and maintain his lethal effectiveness.

At the front lines, soldiers noticed a pattern of adversaries mysteriously falling, particularly those operating turrets or manning vehicles. The legend of the Reaper grew, shrouded in speculation and fear. Some whispered tales of a supernatural entity, while others believed him to be an unstoppable force of nature.

Edward, fully immersed in his role, continued to contribute to the ongoing battle. He became a symbol of hope for his comrades and a symbol of dread for his enemies. Yet, amidst the chaos and carnage, he still grappled with the emotional toll of taking lives. The act of killing weighed heavily on his conscience, and he questioned the nature of his own humanity.

As the war waged on, Edward, the enigmatic Reaper, would play a crucial role in turning the tide of the conflict. His extraordinary skills as a sniper, combined with his augmented abilities, would make him a legendary figure in the annals of warfare