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A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 80 - Deep into the Abyss (part 8)
We return to the shelter the following day after placing bugs at five blue crosses. We bring the sleepy people back to their rooms and clean up the banquet. There are around three hours left before the anaesthesia wears off. On the next morning, the army of jeeps goes to an area nearby, where we have earlier confirmed that the ore density is high enough to conduct mining activities. While Mirai goes to help the research team assemble their equipment, I, along with the other men from the escorting team, sit on the back of one of the jeeps, observing the surrounding. I withdraw a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, take one out, ignite the end and smoke. Since Mirai advocates for health and imposes her ideology on me, it has been a long time since I get to smoke, and the feeling of pleasure and familiarity spread through my entire body. I give one to the man next to me. - Here, have one. - Sure. But, I thought you are the team leader. Why are you sitting here?
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 81 - Deep into the Abyss (part 9)
- Wow... This is the first time I have used this drilling device. The mechanical division claimed it only takes half a day to drill with minimal supervision, but this is impressive... The research team looks at the ideally dug hole. All measurements are exact to millimetres, and the lateral hardening is so rigid that it can withstand at least months before brick walls are installed. A minute marvelling at the nice hole is sufficient, and the team starts assembling a pulley structure, which is just a solid metal frame to support the weight of a fully-equipped researcher. One member will be tied to a rope and slowly descend the hole. This time, I watch with the other research members as one of them climbs down the hole. That person wears a headlight, and as he goes deeper and deeper into the hole, the small dot of light becomes paler and paler. The tracker shows that he is at the five-hundred-metre mark, meaning halfway down. Minerals only start to appear deep undergr
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 82 - Deep into the Abyss (part 10)
It was a silent night near the end of the year 2059. The streets were already decorated with huge Christmas trees and illuminated with neon lights. That was probably the only time of the year that the city looked visually colourful at night. The Australians, as always, gathered at homes before the veil of darkness encapsulated the sky, but the absence of any human sounds did not make the night any less vibrant. If one had an acute sense of hearing, one could hear the faint humming of traditional Christmas songs in the background. In a not-so-peaceful backstreet near the University of New South Wales, the hurried footsteps of a man disrupted the tranquillity. It was followed by a series of silenced gunshots from at least three armed persecutors. The man was also carrying a handgun, but he well knew that the moment he stopped running, his body will become a slice of cheese, full of holes. And why did it become as such? Everything happen at lightspeed, and he had to suppress h
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 83 - Deep into the Abyss (part 11)
The confrontation is not one based on impulse. It feels like something planned for some time, waiting for the climax. I try to keep a straight face and posture but inside, I am slightly trembling. I decide to abide by the role Mirai has created for me. - Just an expatriate who was sent to the Egypt branch from the same corporation in Tokyo due to some circumstances. - And then? - What do you mean by 'and then'? That is all. And yes, I relocated to South Africa for around five years before getting sent here again for the project that everyone here is working on. - Now we are heading somewhere. The head architect looks as if there is a weapon in her sleeve that she would not hesitate to withdraw to use against me. - Would you mind explaining the relocation? - I just do not feel like Egypt is my place. And as far as I see, it has been quite turbulent here since then... - ... and I hope you will realise that ev
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 84 - Deep into the Abyss (part 12)
The foundation of the construction mine has already been built, thus the structural disruptions due to the leaks of gravitational waves are relatively minor. After relishing in joy, Mirai and I help the construction team to pick up tools on the ground. And now, in the control room, locked and without any speck of light, the three of us sit around a table. We try to keep the atmosphere as chill as possible, but if Maric plans to make a move, Mirai would not hesitate to pin her down again. While I sit with my arms supporting my head, Mirai takes out a syringe and plays with it in her hand. It seems that Maric immediately recognises what liquid is in the syringe just from its purple colour. Mirai does not take long to realise the panic coming from the subject and confirms her deduction. - That! How do you have that? This is even out of bounds to some high-ranked personnel! - Ah, so you know what this is. Then let's go to the main part, shall we? Knowing tha
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 85 - Deep into the Abyss (part 13)
- Ahhh! So boring! I want to lay hands on those bastards. How long has it been since we last engaged in a head-on battle with the Intruders? I think my shooting skills have deteriorated beyond return. - What do you mean? First, the guns have aim assistance, so except when you have both myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and blindness simultaneously, you cannot miss. Second, besides the occasions when they destroy our drones and I assassinate their units, we must avoid being excessively belligerent. The time comes when it comes. - How the hell do you get all of them at the same time? - Exactly. So please treasure your life. Logically, we are a year away from being fully prepared. However, emotionally, I feel myself on the brink of death due to boredom. After the hardships have passed, the waiting is even worse. I lie on the bed. Mirai is sitting on a chair next to it, scribbling something on the tablet. I complain merely to get her attention, b
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 86 - Deep into the Abyss (part 14)
After looting some firearms, more pairs have also spawned. As soon as Mirai hears the tingling sound of newly spawned players, she rushes to them. Her audio perception in the virtual world is unmatched as if everyone here steps into her hunting ground, and not the other way round. The first gunshots have been fired, triggering a cascade of successive gunshots which quickly escalates into a chaotic warfare early-game. While some are in a panic because of gunfires from multiple directions, top players like Mirai use them to their advantage. They distract most amateurs from the sounds of approaching footsteps. - Yuusha, go the other way and block their exit. I will lure them out. - Gotcha. As we approached a house with the sounds of two different rustling sounds, we split up. I approach and follow the wall to make sure they cannot jump out of the house from the window to escape. I throw a flash grenade through the window. Upon hearing the blast, Mirai quie
A Backpack, a Gun and a Codex Chapter 87 - Deep into the Abyss (part 15)
Sandstorms. Depending on the severity of the sandstorm, players' vision is drastically lowered from half to almost blindfolded. Several items allow players to look through the sandy turbulence, but people have to find them. Otherwise, unproperly geared players are on the edge of elimination. After victoriously surviving in the area with the richest loot and resources, each of us has a pair of electromagnetic goggles. I can see the fuzzy outlines of the obstacles in the environment and players, but every minute of usage comes with a three-minute cooldown. However, somebody is beating the system by carrying four pairs of goggles. As a sniper, she does not need to engage in close combat, thus her inventory only has a photon sniper rifle with the highest quality attachments, sixty bullets and some grenades. The developers intentionally design the sandstorm-resisting items to occupy plenty of inventory space, but they would never be able to anticipate Mirai's build. On the other ha
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