The bloody 'Silent Shadow'

*Bang!

*Bang!

*Bang!

The sounds of gunshots were coming from all directions, and the situation only got worse...

"At last you show your treacherous face, you damn foreigner!"

"You can complain later to Buddha, bitch!"

*Bang!

*Bang!

*Bang!

(Damn! It's lucky those blue buildings are indestructible), I thought relieved.

"Look! Two campers!" I heard a voice behind me.

It was a man who didn't look very well.

(He's got a wound on his leg...)

Nevertheless, the guy aimed at me with his trembling hand.

*Click!

*Click!

*Bang!

*Bang!

[You have killed 'SlinkiSlayer12']

*Bang!

"Hey, calm down, calm down, that guy's already in the lobby!" Upon hearing Luke's voice, I reacted.

That's right, unlike me, the poor idiot had no bullets in his gun and well... maybe nerves got the best of me.

(Is it because it's a game? Honestly, I don't feel anything), I thought amazed as I left three holes in that guy and yet I felt no remorse.

*Bang!

*Bang!

*Bang!

"Damn it! These idiots won't calm down!" Luke complained upon hearing the shots coming from the front.

(How many idiots are shooting right now? But more importantly...)

"Can you loot in this game?" I wondered aloud.

"Huh? What did you say?" Even Luke beside me stopped paying attention and looked at me.

"I'm going to find out," I said and immediately set out to approach the guy I took down.

"Wait!... tsk," I heard Luke's worried voice before I left, but I ignored it.

And just as I got closer...

[SlinkiSlayer12 - Status: Deceased - Inventory available]

"Don't mess around... you can actually do it," I exclaimed with jubilation as I touched it.

[You have looted all of 'SlinkiSlayer12's inventory]

And what the guy had was an unloaded gun, but with its extra magazine full, along with the same stuff we got in the beginner's package.

*Bang!

*Bang!

Hearing the shots, I returned to the spot where I had taken cover earlier with Luke, who had also been shooting.

"So? How did it go?" he asked me as he focused on the front.

"Look," I said, showing him the two guns in my hands.

"Oh..." Luke pondered for a moment before...

"I've got an idea," he said with a sinister grin.

--

*Bang!

*Bang!

*Bang!

*Bang!

"HAHAHAHA, Winner, Winner, Chicken, Sons of bitch-" *Bang!

[You have killed 'XxPbgxX Zeus']

"I think that was the last one," I said as I watched the idiot strutting around the field and shouting like he was in a battle royale.

(It's lucky the knowledge from conscription is still fresh), I thought, pleased with my good memory.

"How's it on your end?" I shouted to Luke, who was at another angle.

"No one's moving," he replied as he approached.

"It's a depressing sight," I said deeply as I looked around.

Thousands of players lay motionless on the ground, victims of a stupid argument that had spiraled out of control.

"Quite true," Luke responded to my monologue.

"Well, let's loot," he continued as his grin widened, and he wasn't the only one.

(Haha, free ammo).

So... how come we're the only ones standing?

Well... truth is, we got pretty lucky, as basically the most skilled players took each other out, and their followers, like headless chickens, started shooting at anything that moved.

We just needed to take cover and eliminate those who came out victorious.

(Global chat helped a lot too).

[Global Chat:

Splinter0051: "Hey! don't go to the tower, some lunatics are having a shootout right in front of the entrance"

Superwarrior15: "Damn, these idiots... don't they know this isn't PvP?!, Report

Girlfashion2: "x2, Report"

Supersds: "x3 Report"]

The remaining players either didn't have the courage to join the conflict or simply didn't care.

[Inventory

-9mm Pistol x500

-17-bullet Magazine x402

-Water Bottles x500

-Combat Ration x500

Your inventory is full! Purchase more slots in the store or use external storage devices!]

"It seems you only have 4 slots available in your inventory," I said curiously upon noticing this small detail.

"Are you done yet?" Luke said as he came over with his hands full of weapons.

"Yeah, well, I got tired of doing that stuff, honestly," I replied.

Robbing 500 people is quite a feat for me, honestly.

"I think it's time to execute the second phase of my grand plan," Luke exclaimed, maintaining his sinister smile.

(Huh? Was there something else?), I couldn't help but wonder, putting a hand on the trigger, ready to act.

"Oh, no, don't worry, this benefits you, and a lot, my dear friend, 'Silent Shadow', the undisputed winner of this battle royale."

(What exactly are you planning?), I thought as I watched him, not uttering a word.

"My friend, this is an opportunity to rise in this game as the bloodiest and most feared killer," Luke said as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

(I see... I understand a bit of what this is about)

It's common to create false rumors to glorify a feat that may or may not have happened; the point is that once that rumor circulates, people will start creating their own versions, which may become more exaggerated over time, making the original rumor or a variant of it more believable.

(Given that most players didn't see their assailant and rumors are the perfect way to influence people's perceptions...)

Thus is born a bloody monster called 'Silent Shadow', a ruthless Tryhard player full of despicable or abusive tactics.

But the problem comes from those who don't believe it or think they can make a name for themselves by defeating the legend.

"And since you're a P2W... no one will have the guts to challenge you, haha, I'm a genius!" Luke said.

"Think about it, you'll have influence over weaker players and the most powerful will hesitate to oppose you. All you have to do is show that you're not a fraud, and that's where your mansion comes in..." Luke continued with his plan.

(Certainly, anyone who sees the mansion will think the guy living there is a sicko with a lot of money)

But to make others believe it, we need more people, or really influential people.

"Are you going to help me?" I asked him.

"Haha, turns out I have some influential friends who will surely buy into everything when they see your mansion."

(He's probably referring to 'our neighbors')

Now the most important question is: Is this good for me?

The shortest answer is yes, and quite so.

The reason is very simple: in this type of games, sooner or later standout players will emerge, as is natural.

The catch is that they will start creating their own guilds and monopolizing some resources with the help of the weaker ones.

These, in turn, will share their resources or information with those who are worth winning over.

And who better than the bloodiest and P2W player to have as an ally?

(I just have to invest those 19 million premium credits wisely and increase my individual power).

"So, do you want to work with me? I'll handle the business in your name and you... just get stronger," Luke said, extending his right hand.

"Sure, it'll probably be fun," I said, also extending my hand.