Shockwave Rifle
I was the first one at the gate because there's still around half an hour before noon, which gives me enough time to relocate the bread in my box into a dufflebag without anyone around.
Bringing the box outside during expedition would've been way too suspicious.
Since I'm early, I armed myself with an M16 assault rifle, I know it when I see it, it's my favourite weapon in almost all shooter games I've ever played.
I've never held one physically, but after a brief inspection of the gun, it's exactly the same as those hyper-realistic shooter games, so I was able to reload it quite smoothly.
"You're early." One of the armed guards by the gate noticed me, I just nodded in response.
Soon after, the sun was at the dead centre of the sky, scorching sunlight falls on my skin aggressively informing me it's afternoon.
Soldiers from Ace's group starts arriving, not lead by Ace himself, instead Ace was at the very back of the crowd.
I walked up to a group of soldiers that looks like they're quite experienced with firearms and combat, then asked,
"Interested in earning more food?"
When the majority of soldiers are done arming and equipping themselves with a weapon and a dufflebag, three more ranked officers arrived.
Five, Six and Seven, Five's manipulation worked splendidly, it's quite obvious they're not here to volunteer, they're here for Ace.
That's a group of people I will have to pay close attention to, they're integral for my plan's success.
Before that though, my curiosity caused my gaze to wander, searching for a certain someone that's exceptionally good at hiding.
Alright I shouldn't waste my time like this, back to watching Five, she's too good at hiding.
Shit, they believed it, they believed his stupid theory that Ken's a traitor.
If Corpse didn't have Six and Seven by his side, him by himself wouldn't be able to touch Ken.
But now that he has support of the majority of the ranked officers on this expedition, he would carry conviction, the soldiers will believe his claims that Ken is indeed a traitor.
This isn't good, staying in the crowd is no longer a viable strategy for Ken, not if the crowd thinks he's an enemy themselves.
He wouldn't convince the people right here right now though, I'm sure of it, if he did, it might attract attention from other ranked officers that aren't on his side.
He'll make his move on the expedition, where he has the majority of ranked officers on his side.
I didn't see this coming at all, I really messed up, I can only see this situation going one way, I'll have to confront him to protect Ken or die trying.
For now, I think tailing them should be enough, the second they get too close, I'll move in.
Ugh why am I shaking.
"Reignite humanity's hope!"
It's starting now.
They're still not making their moves, we've marched far enough for them to do it, yet nothing's happening.
I also don't think they will give space to Ken to debate his way out with his men, they wouldn't convince the men before making their moves on Ken, they'll do it after when Ken can't defend himself.
Wait, isn't that Three? Why the hell is he here? He's also a player, he should be back there with Frostbite protecting the Jack. Well whatever, he's none of my concerns.
Eventually I closed my distance and blended into the crowd of soldiers, I had picked up a few blankets from my group to cover my officer attire.
The marching stopped, ordered by Ken with a single hand gesture, he turned around to the crowd, not noticing me in it, but definitely noticed Corpse, he looked anxious.
"Disperse!" He commanded.
Then things escalated.
Corpse walked towards Ken with quick steps and threw a punch, I didn't react quick enough, it landed.
The partially dispersed soldier formation all flinched and gasped in reaction to the punch, Ken was sent right down to the ground.
"Calm down everyone! Ace over here is a traitor." Words from stupid manipulated Seven trying to calm the crowd.
"Shockwave Rifle."
That's my main weapon, I thought it and a massive assault rifle appeared in my arms, I aimed at Corpse's head and pulled the trigger.
My main weapon is a gun with the appearance of an assault rifle but functions more similarly to a shotgun, one shot at a time, huge burst damage.
Except, there's no bullets to this thing, it just fires concentrated shockwave that shares similar trajectory and effect as bullets from a shotgun.
With just one shot, I blew open Corpse's skull, the crowd gasps loudly again in shock.
I kept pulling the trigger, but the second shot onwards were all dodged.
He bent down to dodge my shots, pulled out his own weapon, a pistol that shoots projectiles that pierces through virtually everything, and fired.
I cried out loud in agony, the bullet pierced from my right elbow straight through my upper arm and out my shoulder.
My gun dropped to the ground, my entire right hand was immobilized from that one projectile. Corpse, even with his skull burst open and his brain visible, still lives on due to his hp bar.
"Finally showed yourself...Shockwave." Corpse said my name in a disdainful, disgusted voice.
"I'll have you know before I finish you off, I only lost 9 hp from that shot. You're a disappointment." He says.
"Five, what the hell are you doing?" Six was completely flabbergasted at the sight of our fight, so was Seven, but he was so stunned that he's speechless.
Corpse raises his pistol again, this time aiming straight for my head.
Well I kept my promise to you Dad, I swore on my life to protect him. Since I've failed, it's time I give my life...
I took one last look at my brother, who was writhing on the floor, struggling to get up but lacks the strength to.
It's okay Ken, it's all over now. I slowly shut my eyes in acceptance, ready for my demise.
I thought the sound of Corpse's pistol would be the first and last thing I hear as I close my eyes, but it wasn't.
It was rapid gunfire, not one made by a pistol, more like a machine gun of some sorts.
"What the fuck...argh...AARGH..."
Is that Corpse's voice?
The rapid gunfire still hasn't ceased, but the sound of bullets hitting and tearing through flesh intensified.
The struggling groans also intensified with time, they sound like they're actually from...Corpse.
When the gunfire eventually comes to a stop, all that's left was silence, and then miraculously, my right ear rang.
"Player Corpse has been eliminated by npc #0125."
"Six, Seven, you guys got gaslighted by Five, he's the corrupted one."
"What?"
"As you can clearly see now, his target was never Ace, he was using Ace to get close to Two. He manipulated you guys to get your support so he can beat up Ace to get to Two without interference from other soldiers around..."
That's...Three that's speaking.