Shelter
Author: Maguire35
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

I tried to put out of my mind what happened with Lucia, I didn't want to have feelings for her. I was facing an imminent battle in less than two weeks, with the lives of other users at stake. I was left with only two difficult choices: survive for a week or eliminate ten users. The emotional burden was overwhelming.

As the sun rose over the horizon, tinting the sky with golden and orange hues, I headed towards an abandoned warehouse. Every step I took echoed in the air, reminding me of the gravity of the situation I was in.

A strong smell of rust and dampness greeted me as I arrived. It was evident that this place had been abandoned years ago and ransacked by desperate people in search of treasure. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere enveloped me, reminding me that I was not the only human being who had passed through there in its abandoned state.

Cautiously, I entered the cellar, feeling the dusty floor beneath my feet. My senses sharpened as I thoroughly inspected the surroundings, loo
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  • Duel of systems    Victory

    Surprisingly, I felt an explosion from one moment to the next, the ground shifting, my body shaking from the impact. The explosion had caused the structure of this warehouse to move. Dust spread everywhere and my vision began to blur, but the sensation of pain spread throughout my being. Dirt covered my face and clothes. Apparently it was the downstairs where I was.I moved towards the nearest stairs and saw a kind of fire caused by the explosion, amidst mists of smoke and dust. There, prostrate on the floor, lay two users, their bodies twisted in the last breath of agony. Without hesitation, the survival instinct took control of my mind. I fired swiftly towards both, annihilating their existence and reducing the number of threats standing in my way of liberation.In the blink of an eye, a notification flashed on the screen of my device.(Two targets eliminated)Each kill was more reassurance for me. My wounds slowed me down and made my aim difficult. However, there was no other optio

  • Duel of systems    Battle

    Without resting, and with bandages in hand and wounds treated, I arrived at the place where Lucia told me we would meet, I had to help her for her mission, even if I was not in condition. The only thing I did was to modify my stats to speed up the healing of my wounds. I chose salamander healing.She was in the hotel looking at the horizon. When I arrived she was very angry. She had a gun on the table, she didn't hesitate to talk to me."You survived, but you arrived very badly, you could shoot me, for your slowness.""I'll try to get a little better, I haven't recovered yet."She was very serious, I didn't understand why, but I sat down on one of the chairs.My hands were bandaged and it was difficult for me to grab a simple glass. I had to use my other hand, however, Lucia kept talking to me."Are you mad at me?""You only called me to tell me about the mission and you didn't wish me luck, or give me instructions for anything. That was very cold. I may not be your boyfriend, but I a

  • Duel of systems    News

    The deafening roar of the explosion left me dazed, disoriented in the darkness that enveloped me. For several minutes, I crawled on the rough, dirty floor, unaware of what was going on around me. However, as my vision cleared, I spotted a trail of blood that seemed to be the way to go. My instinct urged me to follow it, until I finally found the subject who was the target, badly wounded. I did not hesitate for a moment to put an end to his life, convinced that it was the best thing for everyone. Harold, without a doubt, would have made him suffer in the worst possible way.I unloaded two accurate shots into his body until the system gave me the notification.(Target eliminated)Sharp pain seized my knees, punished by the constant rubbing against the rough ground. Despite the blood I was losing and the wounds covering my body, nothing stopped me. I could not allow Harold to carry out his threat and harm Lucia.However, in an instant, Harold appeared, holding a metal bar which he used t

  • Duel of systems    Meeting

    I returned to the city of Georgia, I was a little tired from the trip. My body ached, the regeneration ability cost a little energy. I still had time to do the daily mission and not have any problems, but I was hungry and I felt weaker and weaker.I had a pen that I bought in a store and I wrote to people so that they would understand me.My life would change again. Now I had to manage a lot of companies and endure the stress and comments from other employees of their companies, especially the one I worked for. I was just waiting for that man to give me advice so I wouldn't make any mistakes.There I started to think about my ex-partner, now he would go crazy and ask me for more money. Maybe he would try to take some of what I had. Although none of it was mine. She would try to take it from me to spite me, but it would be a waste of time because Lucia's lawyers were very professional and would win any case.I went all the way to the shower in that place. I turned on the faucet and the

  • Duel of systems    Discussion

    I went to a shooting range to distract myself, the smell of gunpowder filled the air and the sound of gunfire echoed in my ears. Frustration was taking hold of me as I watched my bullets miss the target again and again. Centimeters of distance separated my target from victory, but my aim was failing dismally. The shooting range was almost empty, only a brave few ventured into that challenging place.An overwhelming sense of despair washed over me as I looked at the stats and skills the system offered me. My body was fit, with decent muscle mass and stamina. However, my skill with weapons was disappointing, and my previous missions showed only failures and disappointments.[Statistics]Muscle mass 45Strength 40Endurance 30Intelligence 82Weapon proficiency 15Position 230[Mission statistics]Eliminated users 10Targets eliminated 3Completed missions 2Rules broken 2Number of times punished 2[Skills](Sniper vision)(Movement calculator)15(Strength of Hercules)(Salamander regen

  • Duel of systems    Uncertainty

    That same night I got on a plane to do my mission of the week. Again my target was a policeman. They usually ventured into dangerous places and usually blamed the bandits they found there. However, I no longer felt as safe as before. The increase in my level and the knowledge of the missions I had done aroused some fear in me. The daily missions no longer bothered me, I did them early in the morning to avoid forgetting them and not having the pressure to do them before the time ran out.On board the plane, I felt tense and on edge. I was beginning to understand the level of stress Lucia endured as she went about her missions without showing signs of weakness. I wondered what she had done to avoid having to complete the daily missions. The question arose in my mind as to whether it was possible to eliminate those missions altogether.Uncertainty and anxiety gripped me as the plane moved toward my next destination. I knew that every step I took increased the risk and the possibility of

  • Duel of systems    Rifle

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  • Duel of systems    Return

    I made up my mind to look for information about the man. So I decided to ask him about Walter Smith on my way back to my hotel."Do you know anything about Walter, the policeman?", I asked him directly.The man looked at me suspiciously before answering, "He is corrupt, he has many enemies. He has betrayed many people and killed them. If you go after him, don't waste your time.""Mmm, I see. Don't worry, with this I'm just going to kill a thief. I arrived a few days ago here, I just know he lives nearby in the hotel where I'm staying and the police are corrupt. I'd better solve my problems myself," I replied, trying to hide my true intention.I took out the two thousand dollars he had asked for and handed it to him. I watched as he took them and then said to me:"You are a very strange foreigner. You're more likely to get yourself killed, but hey, you're not my problem anymore."I didn't care about his comment, I had what I needed. A sniper weapon to eliminate Walter without exposing

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    Mission accomplished

    I prepared myself to start following the politician. The atmosphere was becoming tense and dangerous, as I knew that in this highly guarded place, many users would be on the lookout for their target. My target, however, was clear and determined: Harold.From my privileged position in a building near the Capitol, I had a panoramic view of the avenue and the windows of the other buildings. My gaze was focused, scanning the crowd for any sign of Harold's presence. But among the jumble of people, I couldn't make him out. Each face seemed to be just an ordinary user, and I wasn't willing to waste my time eliminating others; my only target was Harold.Suddenly, my eyes fell on a shocking scene. A user was being dragged away by someone unknown, and I knew that had to be Harold. My heart began to race as I pointed my rifle at the window from where I saw the strange movement. I waited anxiously, hoping for some sign, but nothing happened. The tension was mounting, and in my mind I felt the wei

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    Preparation

    Neither of us had any weapons to do anything at that moment. I could only look at him with caution and tried to get out of there. I didn't know the skills and level of that guy, although I had a feeling that he could be among the top 100. I just went to get my luggage to get out of here as fast as possible.The airport was quite crowded at that hour and I felt insecure. The mission I had chosen to go for Harold was complicated, I had to eliminate a politician. In this case my target was that psychopath, so I would finish him this mission. However, I did not feel good in this place. Suddenly I felt that there was a lot of movement and someone fell to the ground. I didn't have the slightest concern about going to see that guy. I knew that maybe it was another user and someone had poisoned him. Anything went as long as we were in this city doing this mission.Seeing that I walked faster for my luggage, I knew that the poisons could kill me like anyone else and the salamander healing ab

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    Uncertainty

    Night was slowly descending on the city as I began my journey, leaving Lucia worried and full of expectations. My goal was to ascend to the coveted group of the top ten users in the system. Just the mere thought of the level I could reach made butterflies flutter in my stomach. However, there was one last hurdle I had to overcome Harold, I only knew two of his tactics.I decided to equip myself only with small arms to eliminate this madman and concentrate on what would come next. My mission would take place in Washington, D.C., in a stadium infested with dark secrets. Eliminating the owner of that place was not a complicated task in itself, the real problem lay in the other users who would also be heading there to fulfill their mission, among them Harold. She had no idea how to find him.It had been a long time since I last saw Harold, and just the thought of meeting him again sent chills down my spine. I tried to calm myself down and started planning everything in my hotel room. I kn

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    Courtship

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    Hope

    The next day I arrived at the mansion, it seemed even more silent and gloomy after what I experienced a short while ago. The uncertainty and tension gave me a bad mood. My mind was filled with unanswered questions. I felt trapped in that game. Where only killing was valid.I got up from the couch that was in one of the rooms, I headed towards the bathroom to wash my face. I felt the need to clean my conscience, although I knew it would not be easy to get rid of the guilt that was eating away at me. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, trying to find some strength and hope in my own tired eyes.After a long bath, I put on a clean shirt and pants. I walked back to the room where Lucia lay comatose, fragile and helpless. I closed the door behind me and left a message for the nurse not to come. I wanted to be alone with her, to share a moment and unburden everything that had been weighing on my heart.I lay down next to her, feeling the softness of the sheets and the warmth of her lim

  • Duel of systems    

    Anderson Leton

    In two seconds I saw how the girl fell to the ground, she received two accurate shots, that man came to me quickly.The sound of the girl's body shook me. I felt that I was dead too, however, I could see Anderson and I was surprised to see him in front of me. That man was the one who helped Lucia a short while ago. He shot me in the shoulder twice."That's weird why are you here, do you know who you're up against?"Hearing his voice and seeing him approaching I recognized him. He was the man from the bar who helped me. The same one who spoke to me a few days ago. I decided to answer since he would probably kill me."No, I just wanted to try my luck, with the other users.""You want to die fast, but well, I'll grant your wish.""I'm only doing this for Lucia. She is in a coma and next month she will be targeted, I won't be able to protect her, I need to level up and do more missions.""I see, well shoot me""What?""I have nothing to live for, the police and the system is after me for

  • Duel of systems    

    Confrontation

    The next day. I woke up to the sounds of the mansion. Someone was prowling around the place. I decided to get out of bed and leave Lucia with the nurse again. Although I wanted to stay and do nothing.I put only my shirt back on, thought about changing clothes, and looking for someone to manage Lucia's business, since I was incapable of handling that responsibility. I proceeded to open the door to the room. I saw the nurse, she was a woman in her late 40's, straight hair, somewhat short and chubby. She looked a little worried, maybe she thought I had done something to Lucia, but I preferred not to say anything to her so as not to confuse her."She is breathing a little slow, if necessary put her on oxygen.""Yes, sir, don't worry."She didn't even look me in the eyes. I was left wondering by her attitude, so I just stayed for a few minutes and then went back into the room at a moment's notice.The woman was nervous, she kept looking at me, but I decided to tell her what I was thinki

  • Duel of systems    

    Solution

    Fatigued and tired, I arrived in the imposing city once again. The exhausting plane ride had been a torment, I was very sleepy, I had not slept on the plane.Nevertheless, I had a mission to accomplish before the day was over. I noticed how my body transformed, gaining muscle and strength in my arms. I now understood the purpose of my daily task. However, my attention was focused on what was happening with Lucia's business. I sensed that something was not right.Without wasting a single second, I boarded the first cab I saw as I left the airport. As I dialed the meter number on my phone over and over again, I began to get anxious, no one was answering on the other end of the line.Imagine the worst, it was very strange that a man with it did not answer me, nor did he try to communicate with me.[...]When I arrived at the mansion where Lucia was recovering from her coma, I found employees taking their suitcases out of the place. I got out of the cab and approached somewhat anxious to