Chapter 36: Crimson Gunner

Chapter 36: Crimson Gunner

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The deafening sounds of multiple gunshots echoed in the frozen streets of New York City's riverside. The man in the camouflage suit moved with precision and purpose, his heart pounding in his chest, but his face showing no fear. He darted through the freezing snow, his breath visible in the cold air, as he expertly wielded the Crimson-plated M16 assault rifle.

Bullets whizzed through the air, finding their marks on the sprinting and leaping wolves, forcing them to retreat momentarily.

"Keep it close, if you don't wanna get left behind," the man called out to the three figures in blazers following closely behind him. They huddled together, seeking shelter from the biting cold and the menacing pack of predators only meters away. Their eyes held a mix of anxiety and trust in their protector.

With determination etched on his face, the man continued to advance toward the dock where the Helipad awaited. Yet, standing between him and his objective was an intimidating sight – at least two dozen ferocious wolves, their hunger for human flesh evident in their bared fangs.

Navigating through this pack of carnivorous predators while safeguarding the three NPCs was indeed a daunting task. Most missions of this nature would require at least half a dozen players to have a fighting chance. However, the man was no ordinary player; he was a seasoned veteran, equipped with a special assault rifle that gave him an advantage. With a steady hand and unwavering resolve, he made the challenging endeavor look like a mere stroll through the park.

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The ear-piercing gunfire continued as the group of four pressed forward, the man driving away the madness in the eyes of the wolves with each well-aimed shot. The once fierce beasts now treaded with caution, intimidated by the relentless force that was mowing them down.

"Y'all want some more?!!" the man taunted, his adrenaline pumping as he stood tall against the wolf pack.

His piercing eyes caught sight of a small building nearby—the reception front leading to the dock where the Helipad was situated. He assessed the situation, swiftly scanning the surroundings with a probing gaze, ensuring that no other players lurked in the vicinity.

"Go inside now!!" the man shouted to the three VIPs, taking charge of their safety. He pulled out frag grenades and hurled them towards the pack of wolves tailing them.

KABOOOMMM!!

The grenades detonated, creating an explosion of chaos and devastation among the wolves. A triumphant smile crossed the man's face, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction at the sight of the wolves' bodies being swallowed by the blast.

Without wasting a moment, the man rushed into the reception building, slamming the door shut behind him. He took a moment to catch his breath, knowing that they had overcome the most challenging part of the escort mission. Yet, he couldn't afford to let his guard down; he remained on high alert, for the notification indicating the completion of the quest had not arrived yet.

As expected, the awaited notification flashed before him a few moments later.

[The VIP has arrived at the destination; the helicopter will land in five minutes. Get them out of this city]

The man gazed through the window, his eyes fixed on the distant helicopter in the sky, slowly approaching the dock. The sight brought a glimmer of hope amidst the harsh conditions they were facing. He knew they had to move quickly, time was running out. Without hesitation, he turned to the three NPCs and ordered them, "Let's go!"

As they stepped out of the reception building, a chilling gust of wind struck them, carrying the foreboding message.

[10 minutes left to survive]

[Updating current players]

[Players still in the game - 5,525]

[Warning: The final super storm is here, The temperature will descend rapidly]

[Warning - Cold status increase: level 3]

[Stamina regeneration decrease 50%, slow movement 30%]

"This weather... Goddammit," he muttered under his breath, his determination undeterred by the worsening conditions. The warning of the increased cold status and reduced stamina regeneration only fueled his urgency. "Let's go!" he repeated, knowing they couldn't afford to delay any longer.

With the crimson rifle clutched tightly to his chest, the man led the group, their feet pounding against the wooden dock above the frozen river. The dock stretched out for about 200 meters, and they could see the Helipad in the distance. But their escape route was fraught with peril as the relentless wolves pursued them, undeterred by the blizzard.

"Argghh, you dumbass beasts!!" the man growled, his fierce defiance not waning even in the face of danger.

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Amid the ongoing gunfire, the man maintained his position at the back, covering their retreat while they sprinted towards safety. However, as they reached the midpoint of the wooden bridge, his keen perception alerted him to three human figures rapidly closing in from behind.

"Those three!! They just won't give up, don't they?!" the man muttered, realizing that one of them was the player he had knocked unconscious before, and the other was a skilled adversary—the group's leader.

Fire erupted from two sides as the blizzard added another layer of chaos to the intense situation. Despite his high perception, the man needed a few precious seconds to process what was different among the three figures chasing them. He quickly realized that one of them was the player he had knocked unconscious before, and one was missing, the skilled leader of the group.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from beneath the bridge with astonishing speed. Before the man could react, the assailant lunged at him with a dagger, precisely aimed at his shoulder.

Splaattt

The dagger found its mark, delivering a painful blow on the shoulder that elicited a grunt of pain from the man. Although the attack didn't inflict significant damage, it forced him to drop his precious rifle.

"Fu*ck!!" he cursed, grappling with the surprise assault. He had underestimated his opponent's stealth and speed, a costly mistake in this life-or-death game.

Before he could mount a counterattack, the assailant tackled him forcefully, and with a powerful shove, sent him tumbling over the edge of the bridge and into the frigid waters below.