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The Most Dangerous Gamer by chimmon
Books » Worm Rated: M, English, Adventure, OC, Bonesaw, Siberian, Words: 431k+, Favs: 3k+, Follows: 3k+, Published: Mar 8, 2021 Updated: Feb 27, 2023
1,306Chapter 9: On the Road 3
The coyote stalked towards the lights. It was a scrawny, mangy thing and flecks of foam dripped from its mouth. Some desire overrode its fear of the bright place and large creatures, so it crept forward - slinking from shadow to shadow. One of the tall things walked close by, and the animal froze. It didn't move. It didn't breath. It didn't blink.
When the threat of discovery passed, the coyote resumed its trek into the compound. It passed through the small alleyways and made its way to the heart of the commune. More people were here. It had impulses to flee, to attack, to watch. The last impulse won out and it crouched down. Time passed. A bony, long-haired human emerged. The coyote then saw her twin to the side.
It was confused. The twin didn't look right. It could make out shapes behind her. The woman spoke to one of the people that surrounded her. He broke off and headed straight towards the animal.
The coyote bolted. Humans began to converge on it from all around. The twin somehow remained in its vision. One got too close! The wild beast lunged with foam leaking from its jaws. Before it could bite, there was a loud noise and something slammed into its side.
It felt weak. Its vision was blurry, except for the twin. The coyote staggered to its feet.
"Fuck man, it almost bit me!"
"Look at its mouth. Its rabid."
"You're the one with the gun! Shoot it!"
"Fine."
The indistinct shape raised something up. There was a loud noise, and the coyote slumped to the ground dead.
The previous day...
The RV trailed the bikers and their escorted car for most of the day. Finally, at dusk, they exited on a small dirt road. The RV continued past. We turned after a mile and drove cross-country. The landscape was flat, except for some ranches with cows.
The Slaughterhouse Nine just plowed through. Ran over a cow too. Riley wanted to stop. Not to help the wounded animal, but because it would provide a lot of mass. Thankfully, Jack dissuaded her of that idea.
We finally stopped when we came across a copse of trees.
I half-expected the RV to vanish with some sort of Tinkertech invisibility field. Instead Jack cut some tree branches and we tossed them around it.
"What now?" I asked.
"We scout." Jack replied. "First, we have to make sure there's some prey worth our time. Second, we have to get a list of what parahumans they have."
"You're not just going to go in and start killing?"
"Hardly. You never know when something is a trap." He grinned. "Not that we avoid traps, it's just more fun to make them think we fell for it." The serial killer shakes his head. "You wouldn't believe some of the things they say when it all comes crashing down."
*Perception check failed.
Jack clapped his hands. "Right. Alan, you take point. We want to avoid any sentries they've posted." He turned to our resident monster creator. "We also will need some spies. Riley make sure to bring what you need."
"Okaaaay!" The small Tinker exclaimed.
I turned and saw Mannequin begin to slink away. Instead of walking, he sort of laid on the ground with each limb scurrying along on its own. Creepy. I took this chance to Observe him. He has 'Driven to Conflict' and 'Memory Removal', like almost everyone else. Fear of open spaces, obsession (revenge), psychopath - his mind is really fucked up. There's one debuff that makes me stop: 'Simurgh Bomb'. I mean, yeah. Should have seen it coming. Makes sense. Not really surprised Observe can pick something like that up. I mean, the information it provides is astounding at times.
Nothing new there. I think my tentative plan will work. I just need the right moment.
I go over to Riley and help carry some of the containers she's unloaded. The Siberian and several dog-sized spiders also lend a hand (or leg).
We walk in silence for a few hours, before the Mannequin assembles himself in front of Jack. The leader of the Slaughterhouse Nine pulls a clipboard out of his backpack. The robotic Tinker furiously scribbles something on it before slipping away into the night.
Jack motions for everyone to come closer. "Looks like our little group is holed up in a valley. Probably to try and stay hidden." He shows the drawing to everyone. Damn. The Mannequin is a really skilled sketch artist. "Judging by the size of the place, I'd say we have about 300 people. Probably a bit more than half a dozen capes." He taps the clipboard with a knife. "We'll make base camp here, on the other side of this hill. That should keep us far enough away from whatever powers they have."
He looks at each member. When no one says anything, he jerks his head and we keep walking. After about half an hour, we reach our destination.
After helping Riley unpack, I wander towards the edge of the camp. We're behind some rocks, but it doesn't feel like it's that well-hidden of a location. Crawler can barely fit behind them, and has chosen to remain further out. I walk towards him.
*Perception check failed.
"Hey."
"Hey." The black creature replies.
"How're things?"
"Eh. I guess its nice to stretch my legs, but I'm not that psyched about this to be honest." He makes a motion with his neck. "No offense to your first party, but I don't think I'm going to find anything here in bum-fuck nowhere that will give me a good fight."
I sit down next to him. "Yeah, you're probably right about that."
"So why are we here?" A speck of his acid saliva falls on my jeans and burns a hole. I Inventory the drop.
"Well, you can never underestimate the Fallen. It really depends on which of the Endbringers they worship. Some try to recruit duplicators, and another clan focuses on energy manipulators."
"Hmm?" He perks up. "You don't say?"
I shrugged. "I only know what the PRT official statement said. Each cell models itself after an Endbringer. So these loons might worship Behemoth, Leviathan, or the Simurgh."
There was a metallic ping behind me. I turned, and there was Mannequin. He tapped his chest three more times. "The last one?"
He nodded.
"So they worship her huh?"
He nodded again.
The Simurgh had killed his family and driven him to become Mannequin. Did he hate her, or was the brainwashing thorough enough to prevent that? "Do you think killing them will be fun?"
Another nod.
Guess he's bitter. The white robot stalks away from us. I slap Crawler on the side. "Sorry buddy. They probably only have mental powers."
He lets out a sigh. "Just get stronger soon."
I smiled. "I'm doing my best." I give him a wave and follow behind Mannequin. Now, while I actually can see him, I know he's not spying on me. I summon a pure black rat.
[Summoned Rat
Str 20. Dex 110. Con 20.]
It blends into the darkness well enough. More importantly, it's low-res nature isn't easy to discern. It looks more like a living shadow than a game sprite.
*You have invited Summoned Rat to join your Party.
*Summoned Rat has accepted your Party invite.
I blinked. Sensory information flowed into me. A top down view appeared in front of my eyes. A mini-map! And it shows me and my rat! The rat turns at my mental command. A large blob that has to represent Crawler appears.
Nice.
I summon twenty more rats as I walk back. That should be... too many. Each rat is draining 3 MP every minute. I let 14 of them fade away. Seven is all I can maintain and have a positive MP gain.
Hide. I command. The rats sink down and vanish. I focus on Rat #1. He moves as I direct, but I stumble. I don't think I'll be able to take control of more than one. Even then, anything more than walking would be difficult.
Move North. Scout. Stay Hidden. The rats swarm ahead and fan out. The fog on my mini-map parts. Lets see how my scouts stack up to Riley's. I'll need to pay attention to what she sees. It'd be best if my summons weren't noticed by anyone. Worst case scenario, I blame one of the cultists.
Now...
We watch Riley's coyote be gunned down. I didn't see any illusionary, long-haired women. But that didn't mean much. My rats had spotted her, and I'd gotten a notification about Gamer's Mind negating 'Illusionary Senses'. So I was pretty sure I was safe. I looked around. No one else was freaking out, so we hadn't been made yet.
"I'd say that's conclusive." Jack smiled as he flipped this straight razor open and shut. "Good job, Riley."
"Thanks Mr. Jack!" She beamed up at the psychopath.
"How many does that make?" I asked.
"Eight." Jack replied. "Not enough for us to each get one."
"Is that important?"
He shrugged. "We each choose a candidate, and then we all get to test them. That allows us to have the most... fun."
We sat in a small camp we'd made, about a mile from the Fallen's base. Riley had sewn together a swarm of animals including birds, rats, wolves and coyotes. Her spies had gradually mapped the camp over the next day. Jack had cross-referenced the parahumans that were spotted with information on an archive they'd made. The Slaughterhouse Nine were almost ready to announce their presence.
"I have a better idea."
**Jack Slash is annoyed.
"Do tell."
"First." I held up a finger. "We don't need anymore recruits right?" That got a small grunt in return. I raised my next finger. "Second. We don't have to worry about any backup. There's no time-limit here. This is a group cut-off from the outside world. Their only support is who knows how many days away if they traveled at top speed. We don't have to worry about people driving through."
"Your point?"
I smiled. "I say we change the genre. Instead of the slasher stuff you normally enjoy, with the shock and awe... Let's pick them off one by one."
**Jack Slash is interested.
"You mean, take it slow, let them wonder what's going on?"
I nodded. "Exactly. We go quiet before we go loud." I glanced over at Crawler. "Sorry if that leaves you out of it."
He shrugged. "No body down there I want to fight anyways."
Jack smiled at me. "So how do you see this playing out, Killer?"
"We give them nothing. No information. Have people vanish. One by one. They'll catch on soon enough, but that will just make things worse."
"How so?"
"You saw what the coyote saw. They have powers that excel at warning them." I smirked. "What will happen when people vanish regardless of that?"
**Jack Slash is eager.
"They'll panic. More panic than they've ever felt before." His smile took a very sinister shape. "The thing they place the most faith in will have failed them. Their world will come apart."
**Jack Slash is reminded of his past.
Shatterbird frowned. "What about us? Some of us don't have stealthy powers."
I turned to her. "Crawler and Hatchet Face might have to sit out until the finale, but you? You can do quite a bit."
She looked at me skeptically. "I announce us. It's our calling card."
**Jack Slash is annoyed.
"That's why we save it until the end. So don't sing and shatter everything. Pick them off one by one. You have the largest range out of nearly every parahuman. Use it. Slit their throats, then carry them off. Hang their bodies where they'll be found later. You can coordinate with Bonesaw's spies."
**Jack Slash is proud.
She nodded. "Yes. Yes, I can do that." A smile came to her face. "I'm just as capable of killing unseen as I am en-mass."
Jack clapped his hands. "Then shall we vote? All in favor, say 'Aye'."
"Aye." "Aye." "Aye." The Siberian raised her hand. A single clink came from behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. How the hell did he do that? I hadn't seen hide nor hair of Mannequin since last night.
Jack spun his razor. "And with me, that makes it six." He bowed to the three who'd abstained. "Our apologies, but your fun will be delayed a bit. Think of the show as a taste of things to come."
Crawler gurgled something. Hatchet Face glared at me. (Pretty sure he'd prefer to try and chop my head off.) Mimi just stared ahead, not really reacting in any way.
*Choose Your Own Adventure complete! +5,000 exp. +20 Reputation with Jack Slash.
*You have leveled up! You gain +5 ability points!
*A new quest has triggered: Help Them Fall
*A new quest has triggered: They Can't Get Up
[Help Them Fall
Eliminate a parahuman member of The Fallen.
Bonus: Do it without raising the alarm.
Bonus2: Kill more than one.
Success: +5,000 exp, ?
Bonus: +2,000 exp
Bonus2: +2,000 exp, decreased reputation with the Slaughterhouse Nine]
[They Can't Get Up
Help the Slaughterhouse Nine kill every member in The Fallen's camp. A few survivors to spread the word are acceptable. 0/301
Bonus: Save the members who are here against their will. 0/5
Success: +3,000 exp, +100 exp per kill, ?
Bonus: +1,000 exp per innocent saved]
Fuck. That's going to make things quite a bit harder.
The first step would be to identify them. I can combine Summoning with other powers right? I focused on one of my rats. If I close my eyes... I can kinda see through it. Observe?
*Error! This Summons does not possess that ability.
Alright. That implies that a summoned creature CAN have that ability. I just need to break away for a bit.
I walk over to Jack, and jerk my head towards the camp. "That mean we can start? I wanna rack up some points."
**Jack Slash is happy.
"By all means, Killer. Just remember to save some for the rest of us."
I tilt my head. "What? No concern about my safety? No warnings not to get caught?"
He chuckled. "We're the Slaughterhouse Nine. We don't hold your hand. If you bite off more than you can chew... well, that's on you." He smiled. "Either way, it makes for an interesting time."
I nodded. "Can't argue with that." I then walked over to Riley. "Hey, I'm heading out to have some fun. You be safe."
* +5 reputation with Bonesaw.
She smiled back at me. "No need to worry about me! You stay safe too. I don't think they could actually hurt you, but I can't protect you against Valefor."
"Oh, that reminds me." Jack tosses me a set of goggles. "If our spies didn't trip Mather's power, it's probably because of the digital separation. Don't ruin your own game by tipping them off."
I caught the goggles and put them on, but not covering my eyes yet. "Don't worry. I got this."
*A new quest has triggered: Like a Shadow
[Like a Shadow
Don't be seen by your enemies.
Bonus: Don't be seen by your allies either.
Success: +1,000 exp
Bonus Success: +1,000 exp]
After moving out of sight, I take the goggles off and drop them on the ground next to a tree. I don't trust Jack not to have a camera in them. I might be paranoid, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. With a jump, I grab the lowest branch of the tree and pull myself up. The height doesn't increase my visual range by much, but the leaves will hide me while I experiment. Time to try summoning something that can Observe.
[Summoned One-Eye Bat
Str 5. Dex 5. Con 5. Enhanced sight x 10. Observe]
A bat with 3 inch wings, and an eye the size of a beach ball appears in my hands. Well, it's body is black, but its eye is glaringly obvious. Still, if it stays far enough away... It beats it's tiny wings and stays firmly in my hand.
Might have min-maxed it a bit much.
I let it fade after a minute, and try again.
[Summoned One-Eye Bat
Str 15. Dex 35. Con 15. Enhanced sight x 5. Observe]
Much better. More like a baseball and a 3 foot wingspan. With a thought it flies up through the branches. I focus, and can suddenly see everything as if it were noon.
I have it circle the Fallen's camp, and await more commands. I'd say it's magnifying ability is about x25. Not sure how that matches against whatever binoculars the sentries might have, but I think it's probably sufficient.
I hop down, and begin to creep forward. I need to grab some easy kills before they're put on full alert.
*Stealth check passed.
I take out a sentry. They're furthest out, and the easiest pickings. A choke hold with my Murderer bonus kills them in a split second. I inventory the body, but leave the clothes. Riley will want this, and it will hopefully screw with their minds.
*You have defeated Fallen Guard! You gain +10 exp!
I pause. I'll need some cash if I want to escape, and I see a wallet in this guy's pants. I Inventory the money directly without touching the filthy clothes.
*By performing a special action you have gained the title 'Thief'.
*By having the titles 'Murderer' and 'Thief', you have gained the title 'Mugger'.
Oh c'mon! I've never mugged anyone! And what about the Dollar Store? I took a ton of stuff there! Admittedly, that was probably more 'Looting during a natural disaster' than stealing, but still. My character is being impugned! ...Well, as long as I have them I should at least see what they do... Hey! Thief gives a bonus to stealth and Mugger a bonus to intimidate.
I take it back. I'll gladly swap my title and embrace the life of a thief. Not like I need the murderer bonus to kill these mooks.
I get 4 more before my bat sees something worrisome. One of the guard's eyes are glowing yellow, and is moving to where the 2nd sentry would've been. Ahrima must have some connection and can tell when she can no longer lend her powers. Or Mama Mather's noticed one of her pawn's senses were no longer responding. Either way, my job is done. My experience is also at a nice round number, I take it as a sign.
*Stealth check passed.
*They Can't Get Up 15/301
*Your stealth skill has increased by +1.
I slowly crawl back to camp. Midway, I un-inventory the bodies and carry them in on my shoulders. They aren't heavy, but they are awkward. Especially since the soiled themselves when they died. It's pretty disgusting.
*Like a Shadow complete! +1,000 Exp.
Shoot. Who saw me? And when? I can handle my Inventory being discovered. Pretty sure Jack already knows. I need my bat to stay a secret.
I stop to grab my goggles. I try to pick them up without putting the bodies down first... and fail. I grumble as I put the stupid goggles around my neck, and try to stack the fat slobs again. Eventually I get it done. Having the tree next to me helps.
I return to camp, and drop the bodies.
"You stripped them?"
**Jack Slash is surprised.
Heh. Guess he didn't see that part.
"I figure it will freak them out more."
"Good point. Shatterbird has already taken out twice that many, but she grabbed their clothes too."
"Their guards are busy looking with Ahrima's enhanced vision."
"Oh? Then let me show you how it's done." Jack picks up a meat cleaver, and strolls out of camp. Whistling on his way.
I have my bat Observe. There's one of the five that I'm supposed to spare. That guard wants to run away. Hasn't forgotten his family in El Paso. Annnnd... Jack just cut his head off. Ok. Sorry Jerome.
*They Can't Get Up 46/301
Jack's lesser power is really effective against non-brutes. I mean, that's pretty impressive. I don't think any of them saw it coming, even with Ahrima's help. In fact, he's exclusively targeting whomever she empowers.
That's... pretty smart. She must be freaking out right now.
Shatterbird watched Bonesaw's video feed while softly singing. It was a simple thing to vibrate the windows in the compound to extend her range while not cluing in the trash. Between her senses of the electronics in the spy animals and the video transmission, she easily targeted one solitary figure after another.
The sand rose up around them, crushed them, and flew their bodies up into the air. She hated sand. It reminded her of home. It was something Akilah Rahal used, not the stunning Shatterbird. She had to be resplendent and showcase her power. Glass was beautiful and deadly, just like she was.
She didn't care for Killer, not after his little ambush. Still, he was better company than half the Nine. Nothing compared to Jack of course, but at least he wasn't a literal slobbering monster, or a glowering brute who only barely contained his blood lust, or a stupid child, or a bi-polar fire-obsessed girl, or whatever the Siberian was. She paused, on second thought, Killer was her 3rd best teammate, right behind Mannequin.
While it irked her not to announce their presence, she had to admit this... skullduggery was proving amusing. The moronic cultists were starting to panic now, just like Jack had said they would. Ah! There were the glowing eyes. Shatterbird stopped singing. Something told her that the glass vibration would be noticed. The same sort of sixth sense that warned her about trying to sense the glass in the central church.
She stood and stretched. Beat that Killer. She'd gotten more than three dozen already. No one ever matched her body count!
Mannequin eased himself around the corner of the church. Killer's plan was working wonderfully, the filth that worshiped HER were panicking. The gall these people had. It was worse than the deluded fools that thought they could accomplish what he'd failed to do! They saw HER as a savior! They worshiped HER! They prayed to HER!
He'd show them. Let the others deal with the rift-raft. He had one goal, and one goal only. The so-called high priestess. It was a matter of moments to open the building's ventilation shaft, enter, and re-attach the grate behind him. Such a glaring hole in their security. They had guards posted at every door and a Thinker that could grant enhanced senses. Neither could detect him. His shell didn't make the slightest vibration as it carried him to his target.
In the deepest hole. So obvious. It was sad really, but Mannequin felt no remorse. How could people live their lives in happiness when HE couldn't? Killer was right. Letting them stew in their fear and uncertainty. Let it drive them insane. His limbs extended to the thin woman with long hair. She was ranting about something. Her bodyguard was concentrating on the glowing sigil he'd made by the door. It took him 1.6 seconds to turn around when the 'High Priestess' had suddenly gone silent.
It was far too late. She was so skinny, she could fit in the shaft with him. He was immune to her power. No signals got to his precious brain that weren't scrubbed through 5 different filters first. Her frail bones shattered at the same time that a stiletto found her brain and her heart. Mannequin carried her corpse deeper into the building. To where the central air system was. This would be her final resting place. Some of her flock might live long enough to wonder where the strange smell was coming from.
Mannequin didn't return to camp. He wasn't going to bother killing anyone else. He stayed to watch their agony as closely as possible. He would save it in the special folder that he normally reserved for Tinkers.
The Siberian knew what target she wanted. The one with the special eyes. She salivated slightly at the thought. Regular human flesh and bones were good enough, but there was something about eating a parahuman. It was as if their power permeated their flesh, which made it part of her when she consumed it. Not that she could grow more powerful, but the sensation was exquisite.
Her Master didn't care. His command was to just inflict as much despair and misery possible. Especially to Cauldron. The objects of his wrath stayed far away, so she was allowed to amuse herself as she saw fit. She was glad to find Riley. The precious little daughter she'd never have. Or the Master she wished she had. The girl understood her, and was in so much pain. Still she tried to be as positive as possible. Thankfully, her actions pleased the Siberian's actual Master, so they were allowed to spend time together. Just the two of them.
No, she corrected herself, it was three now. Kevin. She didn't know quite what to make of him. His freely offered flesh was delicious. It had a... crunch that other parahumans lacked. Even other brutes. The sensation only lasted while it was attached to his body, so she allowed herself to savor it. The texture was like the woman her Master despised. The one she'd only managed to lay a single claw on.
She also felt... something else. She couldn't put it into words. Couldn't describe it at all. He just made her feel... odd, different, strange. It was a pleasant feeling, so she was glad Riley had chosen him as her older brother. He made a fine addition to their family.
Ah! There was her target. Above her, walking on the ground. She followed him, not allowing the earth to block her body or her senses. She didn't understand why they had new rules for this game, but if that's what her family wanted, then that was what she'd do. As long as her Master didn't object.
So, in accordance with the rules, she bided her time. Her target was shouting. Ranting. She waited. Then he turned the corner a full five paces ahead of the group he was leading. She rose up in front of him, and let his power wash over her. She smiled, and grabbed him. The pair of them sunk back into the Earth. She let gravity affect them just enough to aid their movement.
Her target struggled. Futility.
Still, she needed to hurry. Even with her power protecting him, the parahuman still needed to breath. With a thought, she was no longer bound by the Earth's gravity at all. In a fraction of a second, the planet's rotation and movement in space moved it away from them. Far enough away that she wasn't within screaming distance of the camp, but close enough that it wouldn't be difficult getting back.
She released her prey and he said something to her. His power flowed over her again, and she chose to ignore it. Instead she used her sharpened fingernails to pluck out an eyeball. Delicious. Tart. Compelling. She enjoyed her snack as he writhed on ground. Yes. His eyes were the best part. She'd save the other one for last. No point in leaving remains if they wanted the cultists to disappear. Normally she saved some of her meal for Riley, but just this once... she'd eat the whole thing.
[Kevin Greenhouse (Killer)
The Gamer
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Race: Human (Parahuman)
Faction: Slaughterhouse Nine
Title: Thief (+50% to stealth checks)
Level: 12 (4,000/12,000 Exp)
Mover: 4
Shaker: 0
Brute: 5
Breaker: 10
Master: 5
Tinker: 0
Blaster: 0
Thinker: 8
Striker: 0
Changer: 0
Trump: 5
Stranger: 4
HP: 551
MP: 232
Primary Attributes
STR: 65
AGI: 32
CON: 65
INT: 21
PER: 21
WIS: 17
CHA: 14
LUC: 96
Unspent Points: 5
Traits:
Gamer's Body lvl Max
Gamer's Mind lvl Max
Observe lvl 3
Inventory lvl 2
Party System
Perks Selected (2/2):
Rapid Regeneration
Summoning lvl 3
Perks Available:
Solid as a Rock
Power Drain
Fire Control
Silica Control
Juggernaut
Lucky Fate
Skills:
Acting: 12
Athletics: 21
Basic Academics: 2
Computers: 1
Cooking: 2
Damage Resistance (Acid): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Disease): 100 - 100%
Damage Resistance (Electricity): 65 - 99.3%
Damage Resistance (Heat): 64 - 99.25%
Damage Resistance (Light): 64 - 99.25%
Damage Resistance (Physical): 25 - 95.6%
Damage Resistance (Poison): 100 - 100%
Meditation: 38
Melee Weapon: 17
Pain Resistance: 64 - 99.25%
Parahuman Lore: 7
Ranged Weapon: 21
Stealth: 9
Unarmed Combat: 32
Video Games: 26
Ongoing Quests:
Passing on the Torch
Best Served Cold
Escape From the Slaughterhouse Nine
Help Them Fall
They Can't Get Up
Debuffs:
None]
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