Patch 1.08

[Gabriel]

[Lv1]

[Skills: Precision(MAX)]

/./

My brows furrowed as I stared at the screen. 

"Max level..." The words came out without me even wanting them to. There was just so much disbelief.

Wasn't there supposed to be leveling to the skill, wasn't I supposed to struggle for endless hours just to get one point of experience to the skill.

I was just given the max level regardless of whether I had struggled.

It would explain the precision in my steps, how I could walk in the snow without making any noise and was able to precisely snipe any adversary without a single bit of hesitation.

The skill would explain a lot of things.

But it had to be some kind of glitch in the code. But... but...

Sanctuary was run by an AI. An intelligence so sophisticated that it could be called greater than all of humanity combined. It wouldn't have missed something as crucial as this.

Maybe the skill just started at max. Maybe?

I unfurled my hand and felt the snow fall on top of it. The sensation was so real that if I didn't know this was a game... well I would've mistaken it as real life.

"Gah-" I flicked my own forehead to get myself to think again. I looked at the map then at the marks on the map too.

The town was in one place and there were several markings that seemed to be the places where Adrian seemed to believe the Cavaliers, as he called them, would be. 

There seemed to be several markings with each of them a different size. Adrian hadn't told me what the marks meant only that these would lead me to my prey.

I could intuit what they meant at the very least. The larger ones would most likely mean larger packs and the smaller once smaller packs.

It didn't matter too much. I just sprinted towards the closest mark.

The mark wasn't too far. Maybe a mile or two on foot. That would take about five or six minutes if I sprinted and maintained my current speed.

There wasn't a quest marker and there wasn't a screen that told me of the dangers and rewards. And thank the small mercies for that. I hated those things in games the most.

The games that hid their secrets well and true were my favorites. So it was great to know that this would be the same.

Refreshing too.

I ran the last step and stopped dramatically.

My feet dug into the wood of some tree. I hung over the pack of those same creatures I had fought in the beta.

"Cavaliers... so that was your name." I was quiet, of course I was. I didn't want them to hear me. Not quite now.

I took the first shot. One was down and the others charged me.

Instead of offering me a friendly greeting they roared and charged. I found them to be slow.

It didn't mean that I was fast, only that I was able to see them in what to me was slow motion.

With much difficulty I pulled my rifle up and aimed for their eyes. I pulled the trigger and one of them fell in the same motion.

My vision returned to normal and I jumped off of the tree and into the snow.

The only sound I could hear was the thump as the two of them fell into the snow.

"Huh..." 

I had made no noise at all, save for my words and my shots. I looked at the rifle, there were three shots left in the chamber. I would have to reload soon.

Again there was another thump. I turned towards the direction of the noise and found myself staring at quite a pompous figure.

It looks like some rich people found their way to me. Their clothes were designer, although scratched up, and their posture just screamed - 'I'm better than you'

I slung my rifle over my shoulder and put a hostile smile on. 

"Hello." I greeted. Holding up a hand in the same motion.

"Mm..." the leader grunted out in greeting. He held his hand out in disdain. As if holding the hand of a peasant was too much for his delicate sensibilities.

I wanted nothing to do with them. So I pointed them towards the direction of the village. Shrugging my shoulders too.

Hey, I would tell them of a place they might find safety but well... if they died trying to pull their shit then welp. It wasn't on me.

I turned to leave. But it seemed they didn't want me to.

A hand reached over my shoulder stopping me in my steps.

It was like they had just completely ignored the gun I held. The fact that there were two dead giants in the frame too.

Are they idiots?

"You're a player too right?" He asked.

I nodded, content to stay quiet.

"Then can you lead us, we don't quite know what to do yet." 

He was haughty. Oh my god he was haughty. 

I shook my head.

"Shoo, I have other things to do."

He narrowed his eyes, and yes my speech was quite disrespectful but really. He started it.

"You will lead us there." The man seemed almost smug.

I just shook my head.

"I gave you directions. And I'll do no more."

I shook off the hand glued to my shoulder. Turning to take one last look at their pathetic being. He mangled himself further on the snow with red skin showing from those expensive garments.

A visage of rage on his face.

The other two did the same, cocking their fists in a telegraphed move. A poorly concocted sucker punch.

I just swayed back and muttered - "Violent aren't you..." - and pushed him into the snow.

I didn't care if they heard me or not. Apparently they had and it got them even more mad.

"Yeah... it's just a game. I doubt I'll win but you won't come out clean either. Do it! Pull the trigger, become a murderer."

I hesitated for a moment. 

A smirk lit the man and he cocked another punch.

I really didn't want to kill another person. Really, I don't.

It was almost heroic with how outmatched he was. He was stubborn even in the face of death.

That was not enough, not to save him.

There was no fear in his eyes, no change in expression as my wrist flicked and bore the bayonet.

It stabbed into his throat and the other two were dead at my feet. A bullet wound in their foreheads.

"Just a game… no hard feelings, yes?"

Blood stained my hands. Blood stained my eyes. It was just a game... yeah... it was just a game.