Endzone: Simulated Apocalypse

"GRAHHHH!"

The beast let out one final, horrible roar of pain and rage as Cyanide cut downwards, before its entire body turned into nothing but a silhouette of white light and shattering into a million different shards. They flew into Cyanide's and the girl's bodies respectively, turning into a ton of EXP.

{——— Blood Baron ———}

[Zul'Krak, Thor Spawn]

{——— Hunt Complete ———}

[Achievement Unlocked: Baron's Bane]

- Defeat your first Blood Baron. -

[Level Up.]

[Lv. 33 -> 35.]

[You received 20 CP and 2 SP.]

[Obtained Ultimate Mutant Blood x3.]

[Obtained Handle of Mjölnir x1.]

[Obtained Might of Mjölnir x1.]

[Obtained Electro-Charged Lizard Bone x3.]

[Obtained Thunder God's Helmet x1.]

[Obtained Thunder God's Gauntlets x1.]

[Obtained Thunder God's Leggings x1.]

[Obtained Thunder God's Chestpiece x1.]

[Obtained Blood Shard x1.]

From beside him, a similar level up message could seen being displayed on the beautiful sniper girl's system screen, and it was revealed that she was only one level under him, at 34.

"… What are you staring at?" The girl asked coldly, glaring at him. She didn't seem to be recognize him… which was weird.

Because to Cyanide, she was an old comrade. Not necessarily a friend, per se, but a valuable ally nonetheless. They've only worked together on one mission in the past, but it was one Cyanide will never forget—it was the first time he left the kill to someone else, and believed in them to do it.

He also knew that mission meant a lot to this girl as well due to certain… circumstances. There was no chance she would forget about him, unless…

… There were other factors at play here.

What happened after they split apart to go their own ways after the mission?

Cyanide was curious, but alas, it wasn't his problem to worry about. He was in a new world now. Better to leave old ties behind, as they ought to be.

"… I owe you one," Cyanide said at last with nothing else better to say, deciding to simply leave it at that. Turning around, he prepared to head back to Envy's lair to rest, but suddenly, he heard the sound of a gun clicking… followed by the feeling of something cold and metal being pressed against the back of his head.

"Hold it."

Naturally, Cyanide stopped in his tracks, with no other choice. But rather than being nervous like anyone else would be in this situation, he only chuckled.

"… Still this impulsive, huh?"

At this, the girl narrowed her yellow eyes, like a raven's stalking prey. "What do you mean by that? Do you… know me from somewhere else?"

"Know you?" Cyanide laughed. "No. I can't say I do."

"Cut the bull," she interrupted harshly, pressing her gun against the back of Cyanide's head harder than before. "You definitely know something about me, judging from the way you were looking at me earlier and now, this. Tell me—everything you know about me… and who I was in the past. And if you even think about lying to get out of this… I won't hesitate to pull the trigger."

But rather than responding to her demands, Cyanide only clapped his hands together slowly.

"You're still as observant as ever, Falcon. Let me guess… they caught you after that day, and since you were too valuable of a soldier to let go, they cleared your memories and made you into a new person with the same old skills?"

"Falcon…" The girl murmured, falling into thought for a moment, but quickly tensed up again. "That's not my name. I am called Raven. And as for the 'they' you are mentioning… are you referring to the American military? What makes you think they 'caught' me after 'that' day? Hmph. The higher-ups would never 'clear' my memories, as you say."

But suddenly, Cyanide knocked her gun away without even looking, then immediately stun around. Taking advantage of the girl's momentary surprise at his stunningly fast movements, he kicked her ankle and swept her off her feet literally, before pinning her against the ground with his hands on her back.

"Idiot," he spat coldly. "Have you really fallen this far? Blindly trusting the same people who were the very reason you left in the first place? How foolish. You disappoint me, Falcon… or should I say, Raven, now."

"Wha…" The girl was utterly shocked to hear these words, and for a moment, she failed to even resist. Soon, however, she came back to her senses, and tried fighting back.

"Tch…!"

She tried to elbow Cyanide, but he evaded with ease. Little did he know, however, that was merely a distraction to turn his attention away from her hips, and now, she could reach for the hidden gun that was underneath her clothe-

-But she only felt a human hand.

"…"

"I know all your tricks," Cyanide said matter-of-factly, pinning her back down like a police officer arresting a criminal. "Don't even try it."

The girl clenched her fists, but there was nothing she could do.

"… Who are you?" She asked, voice softer but still carrying the cold tone from before.

Cyanide pondered for a good response briefly, and ultimately settled with a cryptic message.

"… Just someone who's crossed paths with the old you in the past. Nothing more. Now, if you'll excuse me…"

Slowly, he rose back up to his feet, letting go of the girl, and began walking away.

A big mistake—on the surface, at least.

"… You're not afraid I'm going to shoot you in the back right now?" The girl asked, dusting herself off as she got back up.

But Cyanide only chuckled.

"Go ahead and try."

"… Hmph."

The girl snorted, annoyed with this man's confidence and the way he speaks like he's so sure about himself, and pulled her handgun out and aimed it at his head. Surprisingly enough, he didn't even budge an inch.

"Last chance," the girl said, narrowing her eyes. "You had an opportunity to kill me right then and there, but you didn't. Fool—if you have already made up the mind to strike, do not-"

"-Do not show mercy to anyone or anything, no matter who or what they are," Cyanide finished.

And as the girl blinked in surprise at this, a smile appeared on the tips of Cyanide's lips, and he gave a dark snicker.

"Who's the fool now, I wonder?"