Proxy War Protocol

LOCATION: BLACK MARKET HUB – UNDERCITY ZONE 7

Time Since Tutorial Phase Ended: 01:12:33

If the surface was a war zone, the Undercity was the afterparty for people who brought flamethrowers to dinner.

Neon signs buzzed half-dead. Vats of oil boiled in side alleys. Smoke slithered through metal grates like it had unfinished business. Guns were sold in vending machines, and every other vendor looked like they'd accept a kidney as payment.

The HUD glitched as I entered.

> 🛑 "No System Tracking Beyond This Point." 🔐 "You Are Now Off-Grid."

Which sounded good, until I realized the System wanted this place off-grid. Like a mob boss ignoring a rat's nest because it keeps the snakes busy.

Marcus walked ahead of me, hood up. Even down here, he didn't want to be recognized.

Me? I was just trying not to step in someone's ex-someone.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

He didn't answer.

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LOCATION SHIFT: FORGE BENEATH FORGE — THE GUNPRIEST'S SHOP

We descended into what looked like a church for murder enthusiasts.

Sermon of the day? Firearms.

The "Gunpriest" turned out to be a woman with one bionic eye, two shotguns for arms (not metaphorically), and a voice like burnt espresso.

"You brought me a Proxy?" she asked Marcus, looking me up and down like I was a faulty toaster.

"He's glitched," Marcus said. "Split path. Mirror sync."

She hissed. "The Red Witch hates Mirror-types."

I raised a hand. "Hi. Still here. Occasionally useful."

She tossed me a small chip.

> 🔹 "System Override Chip Acquired" Function: Black Market Skill Injection

Risk: 12% Neural Burnout. 88% Mild Screaming.

> 💉 Skill Installed: Bullet Ballet (Lv. 0) "Chain kills now trigger slow-mo. Stylish movement increases damage."

"You want more?" the Gunpriest asked.

I nodded.

"Then prove it."

She tossed a pistol on the altar.

"Get to the Arena. Win one round. Come back breathing. I'll give you the real stuff."

Marcus sighed. "This is the part where most Proxies die."

"Cool," I said. "I'll bring flowers for myself."

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LOCATION: THE ARENA — CODE NAME: BRASS CAGE

It was like Fight Club mated with a Quentin Tarantino fever dream.

Steel grates. Dozens watching from rusted balconies. Music thumping like a countdown to homicide.

> 🎯 "OBJECTIVE: Survive 3 Waves." Bonus: +1 Gun Upgrade Token Side Quest: Deliver a Kill Line Mid-Fight

Wave 1: Goons With Baseball Bats

I was halfway through thinking "this is too easy" when the first bat cracked against my arm like I owed it money.

I ducked, swept the guy's leg, and shot the second one in the foot just to hear him scream.

> ✅ "Kill Confirmed: Stylish Bonus (Low)" +1 Bullet Ballet XP

Wave 2: Dual Blade Maniacs

They moved like ninja bugs on bath salts.

I kited them through pillars, lured one into an electric fusebox, and kicked the other off a ledge mid-lunge.

> 🟢 "Environmental Mastery XP Gained"

Wave 3: Miniboss — "The Organ Grinder"

He was 8 feet tall, wore a butcher's apron, and carried a minigun modified into a keytar.

"Really?" I muttered. "A boss fight with musical flair?"

He started playing.

Real bullets. Real tempo.

I rolled, dodged, and activated Bullet Ballet for the first time.

Slow-mo triggered.

Glass exploded. Sparks flew. And in the middle of it, I said my line:

"Let's end this on a high note."

One clean shot through his amplifier-heart.

> ☠️ "Boss Defeated" 🎖️ Bonus Unlocked: Kill Line Echo

(Chance to auto-repeat kill line on future executions. Dramatic flair +2)

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BACK AT THE GUNPRIEST'S

I handed her the token.

She smirked.

"You live. You kill. You quote yourself. I respect that."

She slapped a weapon down.

> 🆕 Weapon Acquired: "The Repeater" Description: Semi-auto pistol with infinite-mag illusion (actually holds 7, resets on kill) Trait: Kill to Reload

I turned to Marcus. "Is this where you say something cryptic and mysterious?"

He nodded. "You're ready."

"For what?"

And right on cue—

> 📡 "SYSTEM ALERT: RED WITCH BROADCAST" 📍 "Proxy Designation: LOCATED"

Her face filled my vision. This time, the throne of guns was on fire.

"You've been busy, Proxy. I approve."

The flame behind her burned into a massive countdown clock.

"One week. Proxy War begins. You will fight the others. Only one gets out."

"Make it count."

> 🔔 NEW QUESTLINE: THE PROXY WAR 6 Proxies remain. Eliminate or ally. System chooses only one. Time Remaining: 6 Days, 23 Hours, 58 Minutes

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TO BE CONTINUED.