Chapter 29 - Tutorial (Hunter) - 15
The tutorial area provides a range of tools and helpful items for survivors. Zillion buys a voodoo doll and grips it between his teeth. He also retrieves a holy stake and holds it in his free hand.
Meanwhile, Noah hasn't cleared a stage yet, so he lacks the funds to purchase anything. He gazes at Brad and Anna, assessing them before inquiring, "You mentioned dying twice. What did you lose?"
Brad lets out a deep sigh. "My liver and left lung," he replies.
Anna clicks her tongue in frustration. "Can't you tell? My damn nose! I also lost my precious nails!"
"My condolences," Noah awkwardly looks away.
The tutorial stages are brutal, and everybody considers himself lucky despite losing some important organs. After all, it is better than losing their eyes, heart, or brain.
Brad then shifts the conversation to outline his plan.
"Before we enter the stage, here's the plan. I have a rusty short sword and a crowbar. I'll deal with the crawling lady on the roof. Zillion will take a stake to watch out for the toilet ghost. Anna and Noel, clear out the kitchen and dining room. Take all runes to the living room. Once the outside is clear, we'll transport the runes to the altar."
Anna nods, taking out a short spear and a holy stake from her stash. She passes the stake and her cleaver to Noah for protection before grabbing a monster rune and tucking it into her pocket.
Their preparation includes two holy stakes, one rusty short spear, one crowbar, one cleaver, one voodoo doll, and a monster rune. After a brief rest and some hard bread, they wait until 11:30, gathering in front of Vesper's house before entering the perimeter together.
Vesper arms himself with a crystal wane, an auto-arm bear trap, and a regular bear trap. He doubts he will need to go out and deal with the survivors himself.
As soon as Brad and his group enter the front yard, the walls rise, trapping everyone inside. Vesper finds himself in an empty space between the kitchen and dining table, a location he deems perfect for dodging random energy bullets.
*DING*
The clock begins ticking, signaling the commencement of the mission. Vesper glances at his monitor, checking his status, and immediately notices an update.
His energy is no longer capped at 100. Thanks to the wane, he now has 200 energy to utilize!
'Now we're talking!'
Empowered with more energy, Vesper adjusts his strategies, employing an ability he couldn't utilize in previous rounds.
[Summon Bear Trap]
Upon confirming his choice, the monitor prompts Vesper to select which bear trap to deploy. He opts for the auto-arm version and swiftly commands the system to place it on the walkway leading to the master bedroom.
*CLICK*
The crimson bear trap materializes, its jaws wide open, eagerly awaiting unsuspecting prey.
.
.
*CREAK*
Anna pushes the door open cautiously, sweeping the ground with her short spear. She peeks inside, flips a light switch, and declares, "No traps! Clear!"
Proceeding into the house, Anna maintains vigilance over the floor and ceiling, with Noah and Zillion trailing behind her. Noah, puzzled by Anna's tapping on the floor, asks, "Was that necessary?"
Zillion and Anna exchange a glance, then turn to Noah.
"Ever had the pleasure of stepping into a bear trap?" Zillion inquires.
"No," admits Noah, unfamiliar with the danger. "What's that?"
Anna grimaces. "If you linger too long in a stage, bear traps can randomly spawn. Watch your step."
"...I-I understand."
"The most common places for bear traps to appear are behind the front door and in the garage corridor. As long as you keep your eyes open, you shouldn't step on them."
"Got it."
The trio ventures into the house, with Anna taking the lead as they enter the kitchen area. She switches on the lights and notices several runes scattered around.
"There are six runes in the kitchen. Help me gather these!"
Noah and Zillion rush to the kitchen, each grabbing a rune. Suddenly...
*CLICK*
All the lights in the house go out. Noah screams in terror, while Zillion readies his weapon. However, Anna remains unfazed. She walks to the light switch and toggles it, but the lights stay off.
"The breakers are out. No ghosts active yet," Anna remarks calmly.
Gathering three runes from the kitchen, Anna rolls them like bowling balls into the living room—two green runes and one blue. She instructs the group, "Take these runes and hurry to the altar. We've got about 40 points with these three, but avoid using the blue one!"
Without hesitation, Zillion and Noah rush towards the exit. Anna grabs another white rune from the kitchen sink and prepares to follow them.
*CLINK-CLINK*
Behind Anna, a sparkling crystal bead materializes out of thin air, floating and emitting a bright light. Startled by the sudden appearance, Anna turns around.
"What's this?"
It's her first encounter with such a dazzling crystal bead, causing her to pause momentarily in surprise.
As Anna comes to a halt, the crystal bead transforms into a streak of light resembling a silver bullet, hurtling toward her!
Caught off guard, Anna is unable to react.
The small bead pierces through her chest and exits through her back!
Instantly, her right lung and five ribcages are obliterated, and the force of the impact knocks her backward. She collapses with a resounding thud, blood gushing from her wound as she gazes up at the ceiling in bewilderment.
Noah and Zillion whirl around at the loud noise, only to find Anna's silhouette missing from the kitchen, sending them into a panic.
"ANNA?!"
"MISS ANNA?!"
Despite her dire condition, Anna manages to clutch the monster rune in her pocket, thinking, "Heal!" The rune flashes and disappears, miraculously healing her wounds and broken bones.
Meanwhile, Vesper clicks his tongue in frustration. His magic missile spell, intended for Anna's head but striking her chest instead, has a cooldown of 100 seconds despite its minimal cost. He must wait before using it again.
In less than a minute, Vesper has spent 50 energy on a bear trap, 10 on an enchantment spell, 10 on the lights-off spell, and another 10 on the magic missile. However, his status bar still shows 180 energy remaining because of the energy regeneration bonus.
'No one escapes death!'
Taking advantage of the survivors' confusion, Vesper summons the phantom and the hoarder.