Disadvantaged Standoff

Bang-Bang-!

Critical Shot jumped backwards and reloaded the sawed-off shotgun. This movement was automatic, for what just happened was the result of a Skill! Fully aware of the troubles the Red Zone was going to bring him, Nimin brought more than just a standard farming set of weapons!

The shotgun! Designed to deal high damage at close range! Coupled together with the Gunner's low HP, it gave a high risk high reward scenario! Just now he had used the shotgun's {Guillotine} Skill, a powerful grab that dealt high damage. Once the shotgun reloaded Critical Shot swapped to an assault rifle and began unloaded rounds into Collection.

Rolling into the bullets Collection accepted the damage to close the distance. Blade extending from his arm he stabbed forward. Critical Shot's hands glitched into the shotgun and he pointed it forward. The blade stabbed into his chest, but in return Critical Shot fired twice into Collection's face!

Following up with a {Knee!} Critical Shot created some distance. Turning around he spotted the Elite being attacked by the four players, it seems they gave up on the idea of kiting it outside of the Red Zone. Instead opting to kill it quickly. Nimin sucked in a breath of air, "I need that experience!"

Sol figured that was his cue. However his fingers hesitated to press any inputs. In this scenario, what exactly would be the best option? Should he disrupt the enemy? Or try to deal the final blow to the Elite? He wasn't sure, and it was a fatal mistake.

The enemy Phaseblade leapt and swung downwards, a wave of neon energy slamming against the Elite. Their combined attacks had finally depleted the last of the HP of the Elite, and it fell to the ground. Shattering into pieces of data several items lay on the floor. Level 55 gear, various materials, and a surplus of experience which was automatically rewarded to the party.

Nimin heard the shattering sound of the Elite and immediately frowned, "Okay change of plans. We book it!"

"What?"

"You wanna face five people at once?! If not, get moving!"

Critical Shot turned a full 180 degrees and began sprinting away. Collection's altered voice called out, "You're not getting away!"

Jumping forward Critical Shot spun through the air, assault rifle glitching into a pair of handguns. Firing all of his ammo at Collection he let his mind whirl with potential escapes. With the Cybernetic here running away wasn't a plausible option, without a suit the Mecha's speed was pitiful.

. . .

The Mecha!

Critical Shot landed and slid to a stop, "How much longer on the suit cooldown?"

"One minute three seconds."

Using Quick Swap to rapidly reload his handguns Nimin rapidly fixed his posture, "Okay, I'll buy the time. Try not to get jumped."

"There's five of them though?!"

"It's just a minute."

Pointing both weapons forward Nimin quick assessed his obstacles. His brain shifting into the next gear as he reflecting on what he knew from their fighting so far. The four initial enemies weren't too big of a threat individually, but would pressure him when working together. Collection had a good amount of skill, but wasn't quite Pro level. Neither side had healers, and if anything the enemies had less total HP since they fought the Elite. He could possibly focus one person and defeat them here, reducing the pressure. . .

Time to think was over, Collection had already closed the distance. A needle shot forward and Critical Shot sidestepped it. Firing twice he watched as Collection protected his head with the arm flaps. Immediately switching targets he unleashed the remaining bullets in his magazines into the Phaseblade.

Swiftly reloading the handguns Nimin typed the input to switch to the assault rifle. Running directly towards the group he fired relentlessly. The Footsoldier leapt forward with {Descent Crash} and this time Nimin didn't accept the damage. Rolling to the side he avoided the damage and fired the remaining bullets into the Footsoldier's head.

A Delusionist moved forward with two daggers, two black flames clinging to the blades. Running directly forward he flipped the daggers into a reverse grip. Critical Shot's hand glitched into the shotgun and he pointed it towards the Delusionist. Two barrels stared into their eyes before they received a face full of lead. Their Skill was canceled and as they stumbled back Nimin comboed with a {Knee!}.

Tumbling through the dirt the Delusionist cried, "Jump him!!"

Collection had closed the distance leaping almost entirely horizontally forward, his shin split apart and a curved blade ejected outwards like a scythe. Kicking with the blade he found his Skill had missed! Firing the second shell upwards Critical Shot dealt more damage as Collection flew past.

Having ducked with a Snap duck Nimin had avoided the Skill, but this constant fighting was tearing away at his Stamina. Utilizing last second Snap dodges wasn't going to work for much longer!

{Whirling Leaves}!

The Phaseblade dashed forward with a circular slash made of leaves. Rolling underneath the Skill, Critical Shot then performed a swift {Sweep Kick}. The next moment a Manifest fist made of water slammed against him, causing a small amount of stun. The Phaseblade rapidly turned and swung, taking advantage of the slight stun. The Photon Katana cut through Critical Shot, and a second swing rapidly followed. Neon light moved like energy and formed a saw, tearing apart Critical Shot.

Suffering the constant damage by {Turbulent Waves} Nimin was helpless to what followed. The Manifest arms extended outwards and performed a mighty clap. Water splashed about and Critical Shot fell to his knees. The Skill {Thunderous Clap} dealt heavy stun if hit, and Nimin still couldn't do anything.

Pulling the fist back the Manifest delivered a powerful uppercut, another Skill called {Cloud Rend}! Critical Shot suffered a decent amount of damage and was sent into the air. As he was suspended Collection rushed forward and leapt off the Manifest. A hand outstretched and gripped Critical Shot's head.

{Vice Grip}! The altered arm began to click and whir, several parts lifting to let out steam as Collection squeezed with extreme strength. This damaging grab continued for a second before automatically throwing Critical Shot aside. Collection moved his body to control where this throw went, and Critical Shot flew towards the Delusionist.

Tumbling through the air Sol couldn't peek at Nimin's screen. The constant rolling was enough to make someone dizzy. Regardless Nimin's focus remained unwavering. Recovering at just the right moment he stopped his helpless rolling and came face to face with the Delusionist.

Switching to a handgun Critical Shot fired a single bullet into their face, cancelling the Skill they were just about to perform. Rotating the handgun he swung and smacked it against the Delusionist's chin. A basic Skill Nimin decided to equip before coming to the Red Zone. Its application was limited, it only gave a bit more stun than an average melee class, and didn't deal that much damage. Regardless at this moment it proved helpful. The Skill ranked the most useless of the Gunner class {Pistol Whip}!

Rolling backwards Critical Shot dodged a downward cleave from the Footsoldier. His handgun immediately rose and fired towards the Manifest, canceling another Skill. The other hand moved and fired another bullet, stopping the Phaseblade in his tracks.

Nimin's concentration faltered, just as he was prepared to react to another movement, to his surprise nobody moved. It was incredibly silent, and everyone was just watching. Smoke still rising from the handgun Nimin had them at a standoff.

Unable to believe was he was seeing Sol struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. Pressing a button on his keyboard he recorded the past few minutes to review later. A Gunner, known to be a class that suffered when combat became close ranged, was holding off five close-ranged classes! One of them being the natural enemy of Gunners!

A message popped up, Sol didn't even notice Nimin typing it out.

Critical Shot: Next one who moves gets shot.

One second had passed and nobody said a word. Being pleased that he was able to regain some of his resources Nimin was fully willing to keep this standoff going. However at the fifth second the Phaseblade acted.

Sticking true to his word Critical Shot's gun moved and shot the Phaseblade, but at that moment the other three began to move immediately. Collection was a bit short, but upon realizing what was occurring he too joined the battle.

The original four enemies were chatting with each other, and must've planned the sudden charge. The Phaseblade becoming the sacrifice. Try as he might Nimin wasn't confident in keeping them all at bay with his limited ammunition. He managed to stop the Manifest and Footsoldier before the Delusionist reached a dangerously close level. Snap dodging a cut Nimin managed to avoid a bit of damage until a blade stabbed through his shoulder.

Having circled around behind him, Collection stabbed into Critical Shot's back. Nimin didn't hesitate to move however, his handgun morphed into the shotgun and he pointed it behind him with ease. Firing two shells into Collection he then rolled forward to create some distance.

A complaint came from Collection, "You didn't reload it! How did you fire it again?!"

Critical Shot: I carry two

Immediately Snap dodging to the side he dodged a blow from the Footsoldier. Switching to the handgun he pointed it towards their head without looking in the direction of the Footsoldier. Firing thrice he saw the Footsoldier fall to the ground. Several items spilling around them.

Critical Shot: One.

The Manifest charged forward, but at this moment a high pitched whir entered the ears of the players. Propulsion engines launched at full blast and two palms slammed into the Manifest, causing them to tumble and fly away.

Sol spoke with a returned confidence, "Miss me?"

A class designed to be powerful in short bursts. One capable of turning the tides in capable hands, the strongest class in Fractured Worlds:

Mecha!