A Phantom in the Simulation

Cayce exerted the slightest increase in pressure and pulled back the trigger.

The trigger pull was clean and felt like breaking glass. Within a split second, a heavy mana projectile surged from the rifle. A sound reminiscent of a bell with a low tone rung in the air as the seven grey mana rings threw the projectile with incredible force.

The target turned their head just slightly as the projectile flashed across the ~350 meter gap. As the grey light just began to enter the targets vision, a heavy impact tore into the pit between the jaw and neck. The impact didn't take the target's head off, but it threw them a few meters back. The armor tumbled on the ground and rolled twice before grasping the ground and ducking behind a nearby tree.

The target outline changed from yellow to orange, denoting the stance was only predicted since line of sight was cut off. Shortly after the target hid behind a tree, the timed smoke grenade burst and filled the space between them with an obscure haze.

Cayce quickly aimed at the HUD's green marker and charged a two-ring shot. Normally, his magi-rifle would fire five-ring charges, but the lower caliber round took less time to charge, and breaking the tripwire would hardly take any force.

Chung

A small projectile flew forward and tore a small bit of bark from the tree. The tripwire had been triggered. The opponent suddenly moved out from cover and ran towards the smoke as he opened fire with two shoulder mounted magi-rifles.

Du du du du du du!

[ Target mana: 488 ]

Red light projectiles lit up the area as they tore through the smoke and slammed into the trees and ground surrounding the point where Cayce broke the tripwire. He had been fooled into thinking Cayce had rushed forward towards the smoke.

Cayce realigned his rifle with the enemy and charged a high caliber five-ring shot, his rifle illuminated with grey light. The enemy's orange outline kept running to the source of the smoke, foolishly running in a straight line towards his predator.

Just as two more grey rings had finished forming beyond the end of Cayce's rifle, he pulled the trigger smoothly. The low bell sound rung again and a searing mana projectile tore through the air and connected with the enemy's neck for a second time.

The heavy armor was shoved back like it had been hit with a truck. This time it didn't roll, but it was thrown to the ground about meter back from where it stood. At this point, it was near the opposite edge of the smoke, around 80 meters from Cayce.

The orange outline of the heavy armor laid on the ground unmoving. The agent inside had taken considerable damage but was still alive. He coughed as the simulation determined his armor to have been compromised by no more than two well placed shots. He could still breathe, but his throat was scorched and bleeding.

Despite this, the man in the heavy armor was still good for combat, he just didn't know where his opponent was. He hoped that by laying here in what looked like critical condition, he could lure the grey-eyed armor to walk over and finish him off with a close range attack. After all, it cost more mana to fire magi-guns and the simulation still drained mana. The man in the heavy armor smirked as he waited. He had used this tactic many times before, and it almost always worked. Since contractor agents were drawn to kill with their own hands. The temptation of a weak prey was too much.

However, as the heavy armor was lost in his thoughts, a third searing projectile tore through his neck and his vision went black. He didn't even have time to be surprised.

All three shots found the opponent's neck, and the heavy armor agent never even found his attacker's position. No more than 20 meters away, just within the clearing smoke, a pair of glowing grey eyes illuminated the surrounding haze like two bolts of lightning held in time. The eerie light seemed inhuman. If anyone were left alive to view the scene, they would think it was some deadly phantom living within the simulation.

[ Match complete ]

[ Victory ]

[ +5,200 CP ]

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The sun shone brightly over Cayce's favorite park. The place was well maintained and awfully spacious. Healthy, full grass covered the ground and tall trees seemed to shimmer in the sunlight as their leaves and branches swayed with the breeze.

Cayce laid back on a small hill in a shaded area with his hands folded behind his head. It was a pleasantly warm summer day and many children ran about the field while playfully shouting and laughing.

Cayce took a deep inhale of the fresh air and let out a comfortable sigh. Today was a day for him to relax, after all. Clouds drifted lazily through the sky and Cayce's eyes started to droop.

Just as Cayce was about to fall asleep, the sound of approaching footsteps quickly returned him to a state of alertness. He didn't jolt or even move at all, but now he was very much awake. Countless days spent in the field of combat trained him to assume danger whenever someone approached. It even kicked in while he was here, inside the peaceful city.

He opened one eye to see who was coming. It was a woman with dark hair tied neatly in a bun. A rectangular pair of glasses accented her deep brown eyes. She wore an elegant, dark purple dress that matched well with her hair and eyes. The woman walked on bare feet through the soft grass while carrying a pair or high heels. No doubt, the grassy hill was too uneven to walk while wearing them. The woman's eyes watched the ground where she chose to step, yet one could feel an air of authority and confidence emanating from the elegant woman. As she came closer, Cayce opened both eyes and sat up.

The woman looked up and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "Good afternoon mister Tale."

"Please, call me Cayce."

The woman nodded with a charming smile, "Very well, mister Cayce. My name is Michelle Fielding, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise."

Michelle had an air of confidence and authority, yet she was also friendly and personable. Many contractor agents knew Michelle Fielding, as she represented the Starless Day company, a group within the contractor's association which worked to organize collaborative efforts among the agents.

"Mister Cayce, I know you're a direct man, so I'll cut straight to the business. The Starless Day company would like to hire you."