10 minutes earlier.
As soon as the distinct sound of gunshots echoed from the south, indicating the Crimson Gunner's presence, Alan swiftly relayed his plan to Milo, Daniel, and Kenny. They were to shadow the gunner from a distance, letting him clear the way by taking down any obstacles. The trio was to remain hidden and only intervene at the opportune moment when the gunner was about to cross the bridge toward the helipad.
Alan handed his [M9 Beretta] to Milo, who took it firmly in his grasp. Meanwhile, Daniel held the [Glock 7] with him, and Kenny carried the [Taurus G2C] he had acquired from the United Nations security guard before being knocked out by the gunner.
"Be careful," Alan warned them, knowing the dangers that lay ahead. With their instructions clear, the three comrades disappeared into the blizzard, their forms blending with the swirling snow.
Before proceeding with his part of the plan, Alan accessed his [Gamelink] and made a critical decision to allocate his two attribute points, investing them all into Agility.
[Strength: E-]
[Agility: E] +2 [E >E+ > D-]
[Endurance: E]
[Perception: E]
[Intelligence: D]
[Spirit F-]
The investment in Agility proved to be highly rewarding. Alan could immediately feel the difference as his speed increased by 20%. However, he had a specific objective in mind when enhancing his Agility: to meet the prerequisites for upgrading his sneak skill.
With the required Agility level achieved, Alan confidently chose to upgrade his [Sneak] skill.
[Upgrade]
[Choose a skill to upgrade]
[Sneak (Novice)]
[Rarity: Uncommon]
[Increases the chance to move undetected]
[Prerequisites: Agility D-, Perception E]
[Cost: 500 survival points and 1x Rank E reward]
[Proceed?]
Without hesitation, Alan confirmed, "Yes."
[You have spent 500 survival points and 1x Rank E reward]
[You gained proficiency in [Sneak] - Basic to Novice]
Thanks to his [Night Cloak], Alan received an additional boost to his [Sneak], elevating its proficiency from [Novice] to [Expert]. With the upgraded skill, Alan gained access to a new set of abilities.
[Increases the chance to move undetected, 25% sneak attack damage, learned active skill]
[Light Steps]
[You have learned the art of moving with zero sound]
[Skill duration: 30 seconds]
[Cooldown: 10 minutes]
Feeling ready and confident with his enhanced abilities, Alan decided to take an unconventional route. Instead of following the road, he swerved and rushed toward the frozen river.
Traveling on top of the thin ice layer covering the river was no easy task, but Alan's heightened agility and expertise made it feasible. With a combination of deft movements and careful balance, he skillfully skated his way across the treacherous ice.
As he positioned himself in ambush, Alan patiently waited for the Crimson Gunner's figure to appear on the horizon. The three companions played their role as distractions, allowing Alan to use his newfound agility and the recently-acquired skill, [Light Steps], to approach from behind stealthily.
The Crimson Gunner, a seasoned player, never anticipated encountering a non-veteran with expert-level sneak skills. Alan's successful sneak attack caught the gunner off guard, and with a swift push, he sent the man tumbling into the icy river below.
CRAACCKK!
The impact of the gunner hitting the ice created a loud sound, echoing in the frigid air. Alan wasn't finished yet; he intended to capitalize on his advantage and press on with his attack. However, the experienced gunner managed to deflect Alan's next move and retaliated with a powerful kick, momentarily putting them in a stalemate.
"Huh!! How the fuck did you sneak up on me!!" the Crimson Gunner exclaimed, his surprise evident.
Observing the situation, the gunner quickly realized that Alan's companions had executed the plan perfectly. They had followed Alan's instructions, rushing toward the bridge and skillfully dispatching the incoming wolves, ensuring the safety of the three ambassadors and accomplishing their mission.
Frustration grew on the gunner's face, but he still appeared confident as he locked eyes with Alan. "You fool! You dare to fight one-on-one against me!?" he taunted, taking out another weapon, a handgun, and aiming it at Alan's head.
A grin appeared on his face when he said "'I am stronger, faster, better armed, and especially more experienced. Amuse me, how the hell do you plan to defeat me?" He said as his shoulders lowered and relaxed, not bothered by the wound on his shoulder.
In response, Alan smiled calmly and uttered, "It's true; you are indeed those things, but... at least I am smarter than you."
"Tell that to the bullets!" the gunner growled before taking a shot.
Alan was prepared. With his experienced and heightened agility, he manage to dodge the first bullet and swiftly moved into action. He didnt engage the gunner directly, instead, Alan seized the opportunity to execute his trap. He hurled the knife he held with precision, aiming at the ice beneath the gunner's feet, and with all his might, he stomped down, breaking the ice apart.
CRAACKKK!
Confusion swiftly turned to sheer terror as the ice beneath the gunner's feet gave way, shattering apart and sending him plummeting into the icy water below. The gunner fell with his mouth agape, completely shocked by the sudden turn of events.
The freezing cold of the river instantly engulfed his body, causing him to feel as if he were being pierced by a hundred sharp knives. The chilling waters rapidly began to take a toll on him, his body struggling to cope with the extreme cold.
[Warning - Cold status increase: level 4]
[Stamina regeneration decrease 90%, slow movement 50%]
[Warning - Cold status increase: level 5]
[Cold damage - 1 Health Point inflicted every 5 seconds]
[Warning - Cold status increase: level 6]
[Cold damage - 2 Health Points inflicted every second]
The man's cold status escalated rapidly, increasing by three whole levels. He was now at the brink of death, with only minutes left to live if he didn't receive immediate help.