I sat in my living room, thinking about life. It was close to lunch, and then I got a message.
Teacher: Didn't you say you would be at school Today?
I just stared at the message on my UI, actually confused, and then I realized that yeah, I did say that.
Groaning, I got up from my hella expensive and hella comfortable couch. I picked up my coat, throwing it on like a cool character in an anime, and walked straight to school, the door closing behind me.
Approaching the classroom, the class was the last before lunch.
I just knocked, got a confirmation, and entered.
Immediately, the whole class's eyes met with my own, and I simply turned back to the teacher.
Going to his table, I dropped around 5 hard drives, on the table, all of them mostly full of homework and class assignments.
The teacher only nodded, telling me to take my usual chair.
And with that, the class started and ended, and I did not leave the classroom after it ended, not feeling any hunger, considering I had eaten before arriving.
I was just watching an anime on my own Os, when suddenly there was a person in front of me.
Actually a lot of people around me.
I groaned internally, turned off the show, and raised my head.
Only to see, Lizzy, Doll, Joseph, Uzi, Thad, I couldn't really remember the other people's names. And I didn't even really try to.
I just stared at all of them,
"Can I do something for you?"
Lizzy grinned, and I felt like I stepped into a trap.
"We will be giving you a popular kids trial run!"
I just stared, my fear replaced with boredom.
"I don't feel like it, anything else?"
The drones around me just stared incredulously,
Except for Joseph, that dude was just different with his expressions.
"What do you mean, 'I don't feel like it'?!?"
Lizzy shouted, I think I actually went deaf in one of my audials for a split second.
"It's very simple, I don't feel like it, if you haven't noticed I haven't been to class in I don't even know in how much time."
I just received more stares, then Lizzy's grin returned. "Thad, Darren, grab him!"(huh, that's his name?)
I just stared, actually dumbfounded, but as soon as they were about to touch my shoulders, I quite literally, locked the fuck in.
I was out of my chair and behind the two drones in just two seconds.
I raised my hands up, "Alright, whatever I'll try your thing".
Lizzy grinned in victory, then I saw Joe, or more precisely, what was on his hip.
"Is that a shovel?"
"Entrenching tool" was the immediate response to my comment.
"You can take that to school?"
He nodded.
I grumbled about injustice for a moment, but pushed the thoughts away.
And then I was almost literally dragged to the lunch table of the "popular kids".
I groaned as I sat down.
And just sat, silently, not moving, not blinking, staring into space.
Then a question was directed to me.
"So why weren't you in school for these past months?"
I raised my head to look at the person, and of course, it was Rebecca, the self-proclaimed gossip queen or something like that.
"I wasn't let outside the bunker, so I didn't go to school" was my simple reply.
Brows raised around the table.
"And you were just allowed to do that?"
I nodded, pointed at Uzi, "her dad, I guess, and I struck a deal. I ignored the frown on her face.
"But yeah, he didn't hold up his end, so I didn't hold up my own".
A few stickers ran around the table.
"What kind of deal?" Uzi asked, who was not even trying to hide her hostility.
"Basically, I go to school, I'm let outside and I get a shit ton of matter printer requisitions".
"And what didn't he let you do?"
I suddenly matched the glare she was sending me.
"I wasn't let out of the bunker" I answered, reluctantly.
Then another question was sent my way, this time from Thad.
"Dude, what did you even give for the rewards"
I scowled, "I didn't give, they just took the murder drone arm, but let me choose whatever I wanted"
Talks started happening about that, but then a sudden question came that I really didn't like and it was from Doll.
"Why didn't you kill it?"
I raised a brow, "Didn't know they had insane regeneration, so yeah, I just blew up its head and fucked right off"
The questions and talking spiraled from there, and soon I was able to escape their "popular kids trial ritual" grips and I went straight home.
The next day, I was invited to a group chat...
It was called "the neglected children of outpost3 & Thad." I just stared at the invite; the name itself was ridiculous. But I somehow got into their little group.
I accepted and was met with a screen of naming myself.
Decided to just go with my favorite Warframe.
I joined the group.
Didn't even say anything, didn't even look at the previous messages.
Today I wouldn't even be going to school, since it was sunny out.
An hour passed or so, and I was already outside.
When I received a message in the chat.
Babeatron-Queenthousand: You new guy, where are you?
I took a minute or so to think if I should respond, in the end I just sighed.
Titania: Working.
I continued my searching after that, only to get pinged several times.
(I should really lower the volume)
Babeatron-Queenthousand: On what could you be working on!?
TotesBestGirl: Isn't Titania a female name?
Babeatron-Queenthousand: omg, were you actually a girl this whole time?!
I actually stopped in my tracks, slack-jawed.
"How the fuck did that escalate in that direction?"
Titania: I'm not a girl, and I'm offended.
Titania: As for what I'm working on, I'm outside right now.
I continued to work, only for barely a few seconds to pass when I got blasted by pings.
Babeatron-Queenthousand: omg, fr?
DarrenToDream: Is that safe right now?
Darkxwolf16: Send a picture?
Titania: of snow...?
Darkxwolf16: Well, not only the show, but in general!
I looked over the ruins, only for my heart to plummet, there was a storm coming.
Titania: Maybe another time, I've got a storm approaching.
I closed the group chat when what sounded like a dozen or so pings appeared in a second.
Checking where I am on a mini map, I cursed that I was out several kilometers from the bunker.
I check for other safe spots, only to find a skyscraper, which would definitely protect me from murder drones and give me a good sniping angle.
I wasn't sure if it could withstand the storm.
I sighed. I was so done with this bullshit. At this point, I was sure someone was doing it on purpose.
Then I started rushing towards the skyscraper.
And then I randomly got a fucking call!
Answering, I stayed silent, until no one said anything..
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" I actually shouted, rushing up the stairs.
" Are you going to make it to the bunker?"
I calmed down, now running slower.
I also realized my camera was on, facing outward thankfully.
"Nope," I popped the p, like it was an achievement.
"Where are you?!"
"Skyscraper"
I couldn't even tell who was speaking at this point,
"Why are you climbing that?"
"Bunker is too far out"
Man, was I actually getting tired, or what?
There was silence for a long moment, until I finally reached the roof, and my optics hollowed.
The storm was actually huge, and it didn't look like just a normal snowstorm
"That's a death storm, it's got radiation."
I sighed.
"Of course it does"
Then I unpacked my sniper rifle.
Lying it on my bipod, I took aim towards where I knew the spire was.
I heard a few gasps and a few "cools" but stayed silent.
I was hitting my scan, every few moments.
The murder drones would most likely rush out earlier to catch any stragglers like me.
"You got a plan if they come from the side or your back?"
"I do"
"Should I leave the call, or is this exhilarating for you?"
There were a few shouts, and a few offended noises.
"If you can, keep it on"
I just showed a thumbs up in the camera view.
I still had the scope hidden, not wanting the murder drones to notice the obvious glare.
And then I saw them coming out of their corpse spire, all the glowing X's splitting in different directions.
"Well, shit," I whispered. Words that were shared by quite a few of the people present.
And then I saw a murder drone, flying closely enough that I didn't feel safe.
My scan identified the MD as J, the leader of the squad.
"Shouldn't you shoot that?!"
Another voice replied before I could.
"Shhh, also he can't reveal his position."
"Then shouldn't he be hiding?"
This time I replied.
"They got a bunch of different vision types, including thermal"
"Oh shit." Was the all-around response to that.
And I just lay there, being covered by snow, then I saw J again, she was flying in my direction.
I actually let out an audible groan.
Uncovered the scope of the anti-tank rifle.
Lined up with the crosshair on my UI, which I stole from my Warframe, and aimed straight at the head.
Then J's head whipped in my direction, teeth bared like an actual animal, which I knew she wasn't.
I aimed right at her, took a breath that I didn't need.
And pressed the trigger.
The Vectis absolutely roared; it was insanely loud, even with the weaker version of the mode.
I watched as J barely managed to dodge, a few blades of her wing being torn off.
But she still remained in the air.
I ignored the voices in my head(literally because of the call).
Switched the firing modes, cocked another round, and before J reached even close to me.
Another round shot out.
CRACK—BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
J's head was obliterated straight up.
I could hear shouts and cheers in the background.
"What was that sound ?!"
I still continued aiming at J's body, trying to search for the fatal blow.
Then I received a message, and somehow I managed to read it.
DM/Isekai_Protagonist: This might sound strange, but could you like, not kill her?
I stared at the message shock flowing through my system.
shouts to shoot continued on.
I decided to fuck it.
Aiming at the body, I sniped off both of the legs, then the wings, hoping to god, shot at the stomach.
Several sound barrier-breaking rounds tore through J's body, another message coming from Joe telling me that I indeed didn't kill her.
And then my scan beeped, my blood freezing.
I tore the vectis from the bipod, spinning around just in time to see V growing near.
Then-
CRACK—BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The head vanished from existence. I released another two shots into the wings before I fucking dipped.
Swinging the rifle on my back, I rushed down the stairs.
The call fell strangely silent.
Then, as I was half down the stairs, I heard a third beep.
"I'm fucked" I whispered.
No one responded.
"All three of them are here"
I sighed. Leaned out of cover, aiming straight outside of the window, my scan identified the MD as N.
Another shot barked, another head gone.
The body slowly started falling, the wings slowing the body down enough.
I got a crazy idea.
I laughed a little bit, held onto my rifle for dear life.
And jumped, sudden silent shouts rang out in the call, but I didn't care.
If I were in actual trouble, I would just end the call and sling the fuck out of here.
Suddenly my impact was slowed, my legs buckling as I hit N's form.
We both fell to the ground, but I managed to move around, to make sure I landed on top of him.
Then we hit the ground.
Dust and snow rose into the air.
I couldn't even see anything, but my scan told me J was coming already.
I groaned, my body somewhat slowed down by the fall.
I slowly got up, stared at N's half-done regenerating head, and popped another round into him.
I was actually pushed back by the recoil this time.
Then I spun around again, slower than before, took a knee, and aimed.
J just managed to get around the corner of the skyscraper, when-
CRACK—BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
-Her head got deleted again.
Then I threw the sniper on my back, rushing as far as I could till I got time.
There was dead silence in the call, nobody daring to make a noise... perhaps they muted?
I checked the call itself, only to see they were all on one screen, they were sitting somewhere I couldn't really tell, silently watching me.
Somehow, that made me try harder to actually survive.
I messaged Joe again, hoping it wouldn't appear on his phone or whatever they were watching on.
DM/Titania: What shouldn't I aim at?
I jumped over a car, slid across the ground, jumped back up, and started circling back. Hoping that they wouldn't think I came back.
Dm/Isekai_Protagonist: upper chest is death for them.
I sighed. I got three pings from my scan; they were splitting up.
I jumped inside a house, went into a corner, and covered myself with my cloak once again, completely hidden from normal sight.
I made a shh gesture to the watchers and stayed in that corner for 20 minutes in complete silence.
"Can we talk now?"
I gave a thumbs up, "silently, when I make a fist stop",
I got several agreements.
No one really spoke though.
"Where did you get a weapon able to break the sound barrier?"
Uzi and Joe asked nearly at the same time.
"Made it"
"Where??"
"Secret".
Joe actually laughed at that, and I could only hear Uzi grumbling.
DM/Titania: How's your secret base going?
There was no answer for a few seconds.
DM/Isekai_Protagonist: How did you find out?
I let out a chuckle that seemed to confused the others who were not in the know.
DM/Titania: I used to go there frequently, then I saw you, then I scanned you.
There wasn't an answer to that.
Then I made a fist, no one was speaking, but I wanted to make sure no one did.
And of course, to my luck, the scan was going straight for me.
And of course it had to be V.
I let out a groan, backed off from the corner, and stayed near the door. The Vectis already pointed where I was a few moments ago.
I turned down the strength of the vectis, I wouldn't need that for close quarters.
And then the wall shattered, the Vectis immediately barked out a shot, a scream ringing out.
Then I moved, already standing in a different corner, I aimed higher, near the ceiling, and sure enough, V was crawling on the ceiling.
Another shot rang out, shaving off half of her head.
She fell to the ground, and I released another shot into her head.
Then I ran, I ran so fast it wasn't even normal for me.
Then I quietly asked, "Can anyone ask one of the door guys or Khan himself, when the storm will pass?"
Luckily, I didn't need to wait long.
"It will be gone in about an hour. The problem is it will be night by the time" answered Joe, his voice unusually serious.
I let out a groan, then heard another ping.
Turning I aimed my weapon, only to see a worker.
Putting it back down, I silently shouted
"Run!"
And that the worker did, only for another ping to sound out.
As J appeared and ripped the worker in half.
I was already aiming, though, the Vectis now set on the higher level.
J started giggling once she saw me, her teeth parted-
CRACK—BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Her head gone once again, another ping, it was N flying high above.
I aimed, calculated everything in a second, pressed the trigger, and nothing happened.
I look down at the weapon, my heart sinking. I needed to reload.
Snarling, I pulled out the empty magazine, put in another one, and cocked it.
And was sent flying, thankfully keeping the weapon in my arms, I landed, rolled, and came up on a knee.
Aiming the weapon at N, whose grin actually fell
Before it was erased from existence yet again.
The sound barrier was broken once again.
And now I actually booked it.
DM/Titania: You'd better have an idea of how to escape without killing them!
DM/Isekai_Protagonist: Try to blow up the yellow canister on their tails. It's nanite acid, and it would take a while to heal.
I snorted,
DM/Titania: Do you think I'm a God at aiming or something?
There was no reply to that. Sighing once again, I turned and raised Vectis, J's head obliterated before it could finish healing, V already flying towards me.
She landed in front of me.
"By the way, just want you to know, that I've been beating your asses while in a call".
I actually heard a couple of snickers and laughs from the other side.
Which were gone after my next words.
"So? Want to dance?"
V only grinned more wickedly, actually looking kind of scary.
Then I raised my weapon, a bit.
And fell to the ground, my visor blank.
V turned around, expecting the same attack as the first time we met.
Only for my visor to turn on again, my sniper was in the perfect position to cleanly take everything out above the shoulders.
"Damn, guys?"
I got a few callbacks.
"Not sure if it's the fear or something, but don't those hips and ass look gorgeous?"
I was met by silence, then Joe started laughing, and so did Uzi; others started laughing as well at that point.
CRACK—BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
CRACK—BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
N's barely risen form fell over again, J's barely done head obliterated as well.
And once again, I ran, ran because my life actually depended on it.
Man, if I could just use my Warframes without question, I would gladly do so.
I got quite far away, I recognized the building where V chased me for the first time.
And I hid in the same place again, just in a different corner.
"Want lore?"
With a bunch of silent agreements, I continued.
"This is the same place I hid from V the first time, back then I didn't even have a weapon"
A few murmurs broke out, then, of course, the million-dollar question hit.
"How did you blow off her head and arm then?"
I wasn't sure who asked it, but it was definitely female.
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you"
Then I chuckled, because all three drones went back to the spire.
Then I actually broke out in full-blown laughter.
"They retreated"
A lot of cheers broke through, Rabecca shouting something about how I'm invited to her birthday party, which made me laugh even harder.
After calming down, I sat in the corner.
"Well now I wait"
A bunch of puzzled noises came my way.
"Why would you wait?"
"Doors definitely won't open in such a situation"
A bunch of understanding noises reached my way, a few grumbles, and a gremlin cursing.
I just wrapped the cloak around myself, entering light sleep mode, which was basically my human body resting, and my drone body not.
I woke up around 8 hours later, looking to the right, and I saw it still filled with people.
"Good morning?"
A bunch of shouts was my answer, then I heard the teacher's voice, and realized they were in class.
I turned on my video feed.
Slowly unwrapping myself, I got up, I was covered in oil, which was not mine.
"Good morning, teacher, whose name I will not say for a strange feeling".
And with that, I started heading towards the bunker.