Enemies of New and Old

The Red Zone hunt proved to be slightly fruitful. Collection hadn't made a return and Nimin failed to spot anyone extraordinary. In terms of hunting they were able to take down several ordinary mobs, but there wasn't any other Elites to hunt down. This was expected, with the amount of Organizations attempting to get an early start to material gathering. Despite them hunting for hours Nimin wasn't able to get a level.

If it wasn't for the classes he was due to enter in the morning, he would've done some dungeon runs. By gaining access to the potential resources of a Pro, he lost a lot of free time. When the morning rose and Nimin was headed to his first class, he was met with an unexpected resistance.

"You're Cole? The new face?"

"Maybe, who are you?"

"Oh my god it is! Hey! It's Cole!"

A group of students crowded around him spouting all sorts of opinions.

"Smaller than I'd thought."

"How old is he?"

"The rumored genius?"

Nimin couldn't take much more, "Alright what's all this for? Trying to mug me?"

"You're in the news! The guy who rated 789 on the Aim Rating for fun!"

"Oh that article is out already?"

"It is you! You've been the talk around campus!"

"Well I appreciate it, but I haven't practiced writing signatures. So do you mind if I get to class?"

"Hold on a second, how do we know you're not a fraud? I want a duel."

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes Nimin asked, "Did the article not mention I challenged a top student in one of my classes? My account is under leveled, my build incomplete. You want verification? I'll see you at the camp rankings."

"Normally I'd agree, but you see there's a bit of a rumor going around. Saying that Yuuno himself scouted you, and that's why you're here."

"If that was true?"

"I want to see what's so special about a unfinished build that a Pro went out of his way to scout you. We've all worked hard to get into this camp, yet some rando gets in after a duel? What makes you so different from us?"

"How am I supposed to answer that? Say there's a mistake? You got the wrong person? Maybe that there is no difference, I'm just a lucky guy. Or, and this one seems more likely, that I'm just better than you. That makes you jealous."

"Mighty big words from someone unwilling to duel."

"I'm working just as hard as you all to become a Pro, I don't have time to accept the dueling requests of every insecure member of this camp. I'm already up to my knees dealing with leveling before the rankings and these classes. If you have spare time to pick fights, go practice."

Pushing past the group Nimin took only a few steps forward before his shirt was grabbed. Turning to face the culprit Nimin's face turned into a scowl, "What?"

"You're not leaving that easily. Since you're new here you don't seem to be aware of the rules. Dueling is common here, but it's not without its perks."

"Right, and what exactly are these perks?"

"Anything within reasonable means. The most common thing? Credits."

Nimin's hand twitched. The whole purpose of him taking these classes was for the Credits to maintain his position in the camp. If he could maintain his position without needing to go to the classes often, then wouldn't that buy him time to grind?

Turning around Nimin didn't make it obvious that he was tempted, "You said it yourself, I'm new here. Don't got a credit to my name. Yet here you are ganging up on me spouting about credits?"

"It's specifically because you don't have credits. How do you think people get kicked out of the camp? You can spend credits even when you don't have any, wager when you're in debt. Since credits can be put in the negatives."

At this moment Nimin figured out this person's goal. When you couldn't fulfill your credit quota at the end of the month, you were kicked out of the camp. You could easily prevent this by taking on a certain number of classes, but if that was all that was needed why do people still get kicked out? The answer was obvious, wagering.

Dueling for more credits, promoting competitive environments for players to grow. The real intention of the camp, hidden under its school-like cover. By wagering a certain number of credits, and losing, Nimin could be put into the negatives. To the point where even if he took the classes he wouldn't have gained enough.

The goal of this person was to kick his competitor out of the camp!

"So that's your goal here.", Nimin spoke with certainty.

"I'll make the wager more appealing. If I lose I'll pay double the wager, while if you lose you pay the default amount."

"Confident are we?"

"Yeah."

"Keep that confidence then."

Despite his interest in hearing about the wager, Nimin decided the best option was to deny the duel in fact. If he let up and accepted the duel here and now, there was going to be an untold amount of trouble in the future. The amount of people attempting to duel him was most likely going to rise, and he needed none of that.

Patting the person on his shoulder Nimin turned to leave, "Spend it towards practicing even."

"You're just going to leave?"

"Yeah."

As distance was put between them a voice called out, "Running is a coward's job!"

Not retorting back Nimin hurried to his class. He would earn the credits normally for now, in the event of an emergency he could try wagering.

As the day passed Nimin remained unaware of both the troubles brewing, and the rumors rising.

Meanwhile, in an older server. . .

A Cybernetic logged into a Safe Zone. Their body kitted in exceptionally rare items. As they walked down the city a number of trade requests and offers was spoken, but all ignored. Walking up to a large building they walked passed a number of people kitted in three piece suits. Some glanced his way, but no one stopped his approach. A sign of importance and status.

Entering a large room with a large glass wall backdrop the Cybernetic paused at the entrance, "Tom."

"Collector."

"Not in this server."

A figure turned to look at the Cybernetic. Glancing upwards they saw their name, "You have an account in every single server don't you?"

Collecting: LVL 125

"Of course I do. You never know who's carrying what."

"Yet you're here in this old server aren't you? It's rare for you to visit despite being someone so important to the Organization."

"I've met with some trouble."

"A rich tycoon mad you won their items in a wager again?"

"No. Not this time."

"Then what is it?"

"Some skilled opponents. I couldn't beat them even with a fifteen level advantage."

"You? Are they Pros?"

"Not any I've seen. Their personalities are very. . . specific."

"Aspiring ones then."

"I'd believe so."

Approaching Collecting with slow steps they continued, "For you to be interested in them, I have no doubt they have exceptionally rare items."

"One with First Season drops, another a mask I have yet to obtain."

"First Season? Okay, what are we looking at?"

"The one with the mask is Dead Silent. A Phaseblade who is very aggressive. I attempted to hunt them in a Red Zone but lost twice in a row. The rare holographic mask that displayed Stickers: 'Visually Graphic'."

"The second?"

"Someone who goes by the name of Critical Shot."

The figure flinched, but Collecting could not see this. Their hands hovered over the keyboard for a few seconds, as if wanting to type something. Before Collecting could continue they asked, "Critical Shot? Does he wear a leather jacket?"

A series of messages entered their inbox. Their mouse moved towards it to find a handful of video links. Watching them each silently the figure grew more tense, "It is him!! I thought he quit the game why is he back?!"

"You know of him?"

"That bastard single-handedly stopped me from growing my Organization in the second server! Gunner was always incredibly strong in the beginning days, but in that guy's hands it was a menace!"

Clicking another video they paused. So far Critical Shot used a mere three weapons. Standard for a Gunner, but not Critical Shot's original playstyle, "Did he ever use a sniper rifle?"

"No, just handguns and assault rifles. Only recently adding a shotgun into the mix."

"That's not right. . ."

"You seem to know him well."

"He had an exceptional reputation in the second server. When he suddenly vanished very few knew where he went."

"So who exactly is Critical Shot?"

"I don't know who, but I can tell you of what he did."

"Save the story for now, I came here to see if I can get some men. I want those drops."

"Done, I'll even get on an alt to join. I don't care if someone else is wielding that account, it has a debt to pay!"

"A pleasure as always."