Chapter 37 - Earth Intermission - 4
"GET DOWN!"
Stunned, Vesper instinctively raises his hands and shows them his palms at first. However, upon noticing that the men are only wearing bulletproof vests and casual clothes, Vesper frowns.
They aren't cops, yet they're behaving like law enforcement. Something is amiss.
"Who are you people?" Vesper asks, his left eye glinting as he assesses their status.
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Name: Joe Teetisan
Career: Scammer
Strength: 2.5
Dexterity: 3.2
Vitality: 2.1
Stamina: 2.4
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Name: Dick Tamma
Career: Hoodlum
Strength: 2.9
Dexterity: 2.4
Vitality: 2.5
Stamina: 2.7
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Name: Peter "Collector" Mintee
Career: Police
Strength: 3.1
Dexterity: 3.6
Vitality: 3.1
Stamina: 3.9
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Name: Tui Tamma
Career: Ex-Police
Strength: 1.9
Dexterity: 1.6
Vitality: 2.1
Stamina: 1.5
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Their occupations reveal a lot. Having lived in this country for almost a year, Vesper understands their implications.
This isn't a police raid. They're just burglars pretending to be cops!
Since they're pointing guns at him. Vesper doesn't feel obliged to cooperate.
The raid team's leader is a muscular man named Peter wearing a ski mask. He wields an SMG—a weapon typically exclusive to law enforcement in this country.
The others are armed with pistols. The rest of the group comprises Southeast Asian men with tanned skin, none of whom bother to wear masks, displaying confidence as if they're beyond repercussions.
"GET DOWN!" Peter orders.
Vesper glances at the four gun muzzles and slowly kneels. However, discreetly, Vesper attempts to cast a hunter's spell.
'Gold Enchantment... can I melt that SMG's gun barrel?'
*DING*
The system voice confirms the activation of his spell.
A wisp of gold energy flies from Vesper's right fingertip toward Peter's submachine gun, vanishing upon contact. Though the spell is bright, only Vesper perceives it.
Peter presses the gun's muzzle against Vesper's head and demands, "Where is the money and gold?!"
Upon hearing the question, Vesper raises his eyebrows, amused, but remains silent.
The three goons barge into Vesper's room with their shoes on, stepping on his bed as they search for his stash. Unbeknownst to them, Vesper's black treasure chest goes unnoticed as the burglars can't touch or see it.
Witnessing the effects, Vesper smirks. All the gold bars and valuables are safe inside the chest, leaving him unfazed.
"All my money is in the bank. You can't do shit, bruh."
"BASTARD!"
Peter flips his gun and presses it against Vesper's forehead.
In that instant, Vesper leaps from the floor, grabbing Peter's face with his left hand. With brute strength, he slams Peter's head against the ground.
The impact stuns Peter, but Vesper doesn't stop there. Drawing back his hand, he delivers a powerful punch to Peter's face.
*CRACK*
The sound of bones breaking echoes loudly, catching the attention of the three underlings who turn around to witness the unexpected turn of events.
Vesper glances behind him and seizes Peter's neck. He lifts Peter's body in front of him, using the man as a shield.
Despite his injuries, Peter is enraged yet composed enough to aim the SMG at Vesper and pull the trigger.
*BANG*
The inner barrel melts and seals with a thick layer of gold, causing the first few bullets to ram into the clogged chamber and become lodged inside. Subsequent bullets quickly fill the gun barrel until no space remains. Consequently, the gun misfires.
With no outlet for the combustion power in the gun chamber, the force reverses, resulting in a small explosion that sends shrapnel flying.
Metal pieces slice through Peter's fingers, two of which detach from his hand. The SMG's stock attachment is ejected from the main body, and a sharp fragment cuts into Peter's wrist, severing a major blood vessel.
Vesper remains unfazed by the explosions. In his mind, he invokes a spell's name.
'Golden Body!'.
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- Golden Body (1st Grade) (Active) (Upgradeable)
(General): Spend 10 Energy to enhance your physique and cover it with a layer of gold. Your defense is increased for 30 seconds. 60-second cooldown.
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This ability is granted by the gold element aptitude rune. Vesper has never had the chance to use it before as survivors never allowed him out of the cage. Now, however, he gets to employ it against fellow humans.
His body begins to shimmer in gold. Vesper shoves Peter forward and charges toward the nearest gunman.
The gunman, Tui, is a corrupt cop who only bullies the weak and has never faced a life-and-death situation with a gun. When Vesper charges at him, Tui panics.
*BANG!*
Tui pulls the trigger, aiming at Vesper, but ends up targeting Peter's head instead.
As a result, the bullet pierces through Peter's brain and lodges inside his skull.
Vesper seizes Tui's right hand, the one holding the gun, and squeezes with all his strength.
*CRACK*
The wrist bone shatters instantly. Tui screams in agony and drops the gun.
Unfortunately, the other two hoodlums are not as weak as Tui. They take careful aim at Vesper and open fire.
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
A bullet strikes Vesper's shoulder while another hits Peter's body.
Vesper grits his teeth as the impact feels like a hammer blow. The bullet penetrates his golden armor layer and digs an inch into his flesh. As the bullets can't penetrate through Vesper's skin, they remain lodged inside.
Despite the dire situation, Vesper refuses to give up. He kneels and touches the black chest, focusing on a wand.
His magical wand ejects from the chest and lands in Vesper's hand. Waving it like a wizard, Vesper bellows.
"MAGIC MISSILE!"
A white light streaks like lightning, striking Joe's forehead and exploding it like a watermelon.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
The remaining unharmed hoodlum, Dick, is shocked by the sudden turn of events. Adrenaline rushes through him, and he repeatedly pulls the trigger.
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
Bullets fly and hit Peter's corpse. Some stray bullets graze Vesper's arms, shoulders, and legs.
Taking cover behind Peter's corpse, Vesper shields his vital organs from harm. Waiting for the right moment, he grabs Tui's gun.
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
*CLICK*
After the shooting spree, Dick's gun runs out of ammo.
Vesper lets out a deep sigh and discards Peter's corpse. He takes aim at the panicking hoodlum.
*BANG!*
One bullet pierces Dick in the right chest.
Vesper then turns his attention to Tui, whose wrist is broken. He presses the muzzle against Tui's head and pulls the trigger.
*BANG!*
The pressure from the bullet causes Tui's eyes to pop out of their sockets. He collapses on the floor, motionless.
With a calm demeanor akin to a grim reaper, Vesper approaches Dick, raising his gun. He calmly interrogates the hoodlum.
"Who sent you?"