The Silverblood Ranger skill offers Exceptional technique with modern weapons and cold weapons, the knowledge as well as the correct way such weapons worked and the optimal way to use them, both long-range and melee. High level precision allowing him to hit moving targets and weak points with deadly accuracy.
In combat, he would have heightened reflexes, enabling him to dodge attacks, react swiftly to threats, and make rapid counter-attacks. He will also be able to assess situations quickly and adapt to changing conditions.
So much information flooded Damien's brain, it was so much information that for several seconds his mind went blank not knowing how to react.
He looked at his hands in disbelief and couldn't help but mutter, "That's how strong the elite soldiers were before the world changed...?"
At the moment, only he knew how much he had changed. He felt like he had experienced living through a lifetime as a Silverblood Ranger.
In fact, Damien did not know that even his gaze had changed. His eyes had become sharper and more piercing, like a sheathed blade waiting for the moment to show its lethality to the world.
'Well, by gaining the combat experience of an elite Silverblood Ranger it's understandable that my strength took a big step forward.' Damien thought to himself. He couldn't help but smile, 'Although I was strong by human standards before, my combat experience was simply too lacking. Now, I can consider myself an expert.'
His stats had not changed at all, but Damien was confident that if he met the Clicker or even the Rageborn again, he could finish them off alone even without using his Sanguine Arts. Damien quickly brushed of such thoughts and his emotion cooled after a moment of reflection. Although being proud and arrogant was good, currently, he had merely just begun to experience this new world. Too much arrogance or confidence could end up killing him, and he definitely had no intention of dying.
After getting familiar with their newly acquired treasures, Damien and Finch slowly searched within the cafeteria for any hidden dangers and they also found a few canned foods and bottled mineral water. Although not much, it could last the large group of 72 for a few days at most.
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The next day Damien and Finch were woken up by an argument ensuring between the survivors within the coliseum.
Damien reluctantly went out of the cafeteria to observe the what was happening, Finch followed behind with scrunched brows and a face screaming 'I didn't have a good night's sleep'
The Dawnstar Academy's basketball court was quite large and the stands had enough seats to fit a few thousand people without any problem. Currently, sitting in different seats, students and teachers looked at the middle of the court with fearful eyes.
"Big sister Feiyun, do you think we're going to be safe here? I..I don't want to end up like sister Chen. I saw her turn into one of those things." A teenage girl sitting hands across knees on one of the seats asked in-between sobs.
"We're going to be alright Han Su. The coliseum doors are strong enough to withstand those monsters and they're also powerful evolved to protect us from danger." Big sister Feiyun calmed her down with her words but she couldn't hide her worries as she watched the scene in front.
Currently, in the middle of the basketball court stood the petite Jenna, her eyes filled with frustration as she argued with another one of the primal warriors, the burly man named Bruce, who was clearly not backing down.
"We need to leave!" Jenna shouted, pointing towards the sealed coliseum doors. "We're sitting ducks in here! Every minute we wait, those monsters out there get stronger. We can't rely on luck forever and who knows if there are any rescue team coming to save us?!"
Bruce crossed his arms, his deep voice booming as he retorted, "You want to lead everyone out there to die? We're safe here, and that's all that matters. We have food and water in the cafeteria, and protection. If we leave, we're exposing ourselves to more of those creatures. You think the outside is better?"
Jenna's face twisted in anger, but before she could reply, Finch stepped forward, his exhaustion evident in the dark circles under his eyes. "What's all this about?" he asked, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.
Damien observed the crowd. The tension in the air was thick, with some survivors leaning towards Jenna's side, while others, mostly older ones like Bruce, preferred the safety of the coliseum. He could see fear etched into every face, fear of the unknown that awaited them outside.
"It's not just about safety anymore," Jenna said, now addressing Finch and Damien. "We can't stay here forever. The resources we have will run out, and when they do, what's the plan? We need to act before it's too late. We need to search for resources within the school grounds especially medical supplies from the infirmary."
Finch glanced at Damien, waiting for his take on the situation.
Damien, a sucker for practicality, furrowed his brow in thought.
The decision wasn't easy. Stay inside the fortress-like safety of the coliseum and risk running out of supplies, or venture out into the chaos of the world, facing who-knew-what under the relentless light of the three suns?
After a moment of silence, Damien finally spoke, his voice calm yet laced with a bit of authority. "Jenna has a point. We can't stay cooped up in here forever. But charging out without a plan is suicide. We need to scout first, see what's out there and determine if there's anywhere safer nearby."
Bruce opened his mouth to protest, but Damien raised a hand. "We'll divide into teams. One of us stays behind to ensure the safety of survivors and prepare, the other scouts both the male and female dormitories for living supplies. The last team searches for medical supplies from the infirmary. If the outside is as untreadable as you think, Bruce, we'll know soon enough."
The coliseum went silent for a moment, everyone holding their breath, waiting for Bruce's reaction. After a long pause, Bruce grunted. "Fine. But if any of those monsters get in while you're out there, it's on you."
Finch sighed, the weight of his decision settling heavily on his shoulders. "We need volunteers," he said, looking out at the crowd. "Who's coming with us?"
For a few tense seconds, no one moved. The fear of venturing outside, where the zombies and other monstrous creatures lurked under the scorching heat of the three suns, held everyone in place.
Damien scanned the crowd, seeing the exhaustion and fear in their eyes. Finch shifted uncomfortably beside him, his arms crossed, as if waiting for the inevitable refusal.
Then, a voice broke the silence. "I'll go," Jenna said firmly, stepping forward. Her earlier frustration had given way to a grim determination. "If we don't make a move now, we'll never survive. Someone has to take the risk."
Seeing as Jenna made her decision, Bryan quickly followed up, "Me too."
"I'll go too." The girl in a caped-hoodie who had been silent all this while suddenly spoke a few words and kept quiet. Damien gave her a nod and then looked to the crowd.
A murmur spread through the crowd, and soon another hand was raised. It was Feiyun, her calm and composed demeanor contradicting the fear she must have felt. "I'll join the search team for the medical supplies. My first aid training might be useful."
Damien gave her a nod of appreciation, then looked towards Finch. "You, Bryan and Jenna will take the dormitories. I'll lead the other team to the infirmary."
Bruce, still standing at the side with his arms crossed, muttered under his breath but didn't interfere. A few more volunteers hesitantly raised their hands, forming the teams that would brave the dangers outside.
"Alright," Finch said, rubbing the back of his neck. "We move fast and quiet. In and out. No heroics. Got it?"
The volunteers gave short nods, though their faces betrayed their unease.
Damien, seeing that the teams were set, took a deep breath. "We leave in an hour. Get what gear you can, make sure you've eaten, and say your goodbyes if you have to. We don't know what's out there."
As the groups began to disperse, Finch caught Damien's arm. "You really think this is going to work? What if we don't make it through?"
Damien's gaze hardened. "We don't have a choice. Either we act now, or we die waiting."
Finch didn't argue. He understood the reality of their situation. Still, the unease he felt kept growing. As he and his teammates made their way to gather supplies and gears, Finch glanced back at the coliseum's towering walls. He couldn't shake the feeling that they wouldn't all be returning.
An hour later, the teams gathered near the coliseum's entrance. Bruce stood by with a few others, staying behind to guard the survivors. The large metal doors creaked open, revealing the blinding light of the outside world. The familiar landscape of the academy, now barren and scorched under the three suns, greeted them.
"Let's move," Damien said, leading the way into the wasteland that had once been their haven.