Chapter 24

Sam nods, his expression calm and focused. "I'm ready. What are the details?"

Gotti steeples his fingers, his gaze unwavering. "There's a hotel that's been overrun by a large group of remnants. The man running the place, Joseph Massino, is suspected to be one of them."

He pauses, leaning back in his chair. "Your task is to infiltrate the hotel, eliminate Massino, and deal with any of his men who get in your way."

Sam's brow furrows slightly. "Remnants, huh? What exactly are we dealing with here?"

Gotti's lips curl into a humorless smile. "Creatures that were once human, now twisted and corrupted by dark forces. They're dangerous, unpredictable, and must be eliminated."

He slides a folder across the desk. "All the intel you'll need is in there. The hotel is heavily guarded, so I suggest you plan your approach carefully."

Sam takes the folder, flipping it open and scanning the contents. "Understood. I'll take care of it."

Gotti nods, his gaze piercing. "Good. I have high expectations, Hunter. Don't disappoint me."

Sam rises from his seat, tucking the folder under his arm. "I won't."

As Sam exits the room, he is impressed by Caliban's setting. Playing as a hunter-like assassin to hunt these so-called Remnants is interesting in its own way. Sam's curiosity is piqued, wondering what challenges and combat mechanics Caliban has implemented.

Sam approached the guard, his face composed and attentive. "Excuse me, could you direct me to the hotel and tell me where I might find a bike?"

The guard nodded, pointing down the street. "The hotel is located at this address." He showed Sam the location on his phone.

"There's a garage just around the corner - you should be able to find a ride there."

"Thank you," Sam said, heading in the direction the guard had indicated. Entering the garage, he quickly spotted a sleek black motorbike.

"Well, aren't you a beauty," Sam murmured, admiring the bike. Swinging his leg over the seat, he gripped the handlebars and revved the engine. The roar echoed through the streets as he took off towards the hotel, his expression hardening with determination.

The grand structure looms ahead, its facade adorned with ornate details. Sam parks the bike discreetly and approaches the entrance, taking in the well-guarded presence. Keeping a calm demeanor, he scans the area for any weaknesses or alternate entry points.

Sam surveys the back entrance, his eyes narrowing as he spots the burly guard. "Now, where should I begin," he murmurs, his mind racing.

Suddenly, a flood of knowledge surges through him - the simulation has imprinted him with sword skills, gun proficiency, and a special ability. Sam is always amazed by how the simulation can transfer such knowledge directly into his mind, even if it disappears when he exits the simulation.

Sam moved swiftly, his sword flashing in the dim light as he sliced the guard's neck in a single fluid motion. The body crumpled to the ground without a sound.

Suddenly, Sam's eyes widened as the guard's body convulsed. A creature emerged from the fallen form, its sharp teeth bared and reptilian claws gleaming in the shadows.

"So that's what a Remnant looks like," Sam murmured, his gaze fixed on the twisted, inhuman figure before him.

He examined the body, taking in the thick, black blood that oozed from its veins.

Sam enters the hotel's storage area, his eyes scanning the many workers and guards roaming about. "If Gotti's intel is accurate, these guards are all Remnants," he mutters.

Focusing his mind, Sam taps into his special ability, manipulating the shadows around him. Shadowy tendrils coil and twist, forming structures and objects that he can use to his advantage. With a subtle gesture, Sam cloaks himself in darkness, becoming virtually invisible as he navigates the bustling storage area.

Cloaked in shadows, Sam moved through the storage area undetected. He reached the hotel dining area, his eyes quickly spotting a spiral staircase leading up to the higher floors. Peering up, he caught sight of a man he recognized from the intel - Joseph Massino, the target.

Sam studied the man for a moment, confirming his identity with the photo he'd been provided. Satisfied, he turned his attention to the elevator, preparing to make his way up.

However, as Sam approached the elevator, a guard stepped in his path, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Hold it right there," the guard said, his tone gruff.

Sam offered a sheepish smile. "Woah, man. I was just trying to get to my room."

The guard's nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. "I can smell one of our brothers on you."

More guards quickly surrounded Sam, their hands resting on the holsters at their hips.

Sam raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Hey, I think you're misunderstanding something here."

"Boys! Arrest this man!" the first guard barked.

Sam watched as the guards moved in, their hands reaching for their cuffs. "So much for taking the stealth approach,"

Sam drew his sword in a swift motion, the blade gleaming as he brought it down in a clean arc. The guard's eyes widened, and he let out a strangled gasp as Sam's sword sliced through his flesh. The man crumpled to the ground, black blood oozing from the gaping wound in his neck.

"What the—?" one of the other guards exclaimed, his hand reaching for his holster.

The hotel guests scattered, their shrieks echoing through the lobby as they fled the scene. Sam kept his sword raised, his gaze darting between the remaining guards, ready to defend himself against their inevitable attack.

Sam watched as Massino hurried up the spiral staircase, disappearing into the upper levels of the hotel.

"Out of my way," he said, his voice low and steady as he faced the guards.

The men hesitated, their bodies suddenly convulsing. To Sam's alarm, their forms began to shift and contort, skin tearing as reptilian limbs and jagged teeth emerged.

"You will pay for that, scum!" the Remnants growled, their voices guttural and distorted.

Sam tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes narrowing as he faced the transformed guards. He reached for his gun, and held it in his left hand.

"Come and get me, then," he challenged, his voice calm and steady.

The Remnants let out a collective roar, their clawed hands reaching towards him. Sam braced himself, ready to unleash a flurry of attacks.

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