NPC Code: Red Riding Hood

"One down, one hundred more to go," Clement mumbled to himself, as he flashed me a smile.

Despite his age, Clement killed someone with a smile on his face. It only told me that this kid was not a human but a monster in disguise. Although I couldn't say the same for myself, since I killed more than five hundred people already upon arriving in this game. Even though I could defend myself, I still took someone's life to save mine.

But I learned my lesson and avoided killing other players as much as possible for my sister. If Himari knew, she would furiously slap me on the cheeks. Fortunately, she didn't come here and fetch me in Code.

However, that topic wasn't important right now. I shook my head and focused on the problem at my fore, which was the madman, Clement.

While that happened, there were soldiers catching up from Clement's behind. All those soldiers also had their guns wrapped around their hands, ready to fire if they arrived at our place. The people inside panicked when the man's dusty image came into their sights, which made them run in circles.

"GATHER EVERYONE AND FOLLOW MY LEAD!" I shouted at the two brothers and led them towards the exit.

I had a simple plan that could work if done correctly. All I had to do was to create some distraction and lure Clement on my tail. As soon as Clement would take the bait, Robin and Friar would exit the place, together with the stranded hostages. Even though soldiers would chase them away, the two brothers could handle them….Well, Robin and Friar were still players that had decent stats and experience. I could only believe in their magic and work through the pain.

Those four obelisks and Warner Asimov would be for later, since we had an immediate problem. And that problem was not something we could push away that easily.

"Now...Where were we?!" Clement shouted, as he finally met my gaze.

Without a second of thought, Clement aimed his gun in my direction. He also slowly marched onwards, while pulling the trigger from his handgun. That long-ranged weapon was the same firearm the soldiers used, with some added features. But the upgrade didn't matter, since those bullets would do immense damage if it hit me. 

I immediately sprinted towards the side and dodged every shell flying towards me. Luckily, the table was enough to protect my body. But it looked like the board wouldn't last long enough until it could survive Clement's blitz.

If I wanted to win, I needed some counterplay. And I shouldn't let Clement kill any innocent lives and maintain that agro towards my figure. Robin and Friar did a good job as the two escorted the civilians near the exit. But it wouldn't take long before Clement and the rest of his soldiers would arrive and take them out from their miseries.

"Hey, douche bag! News flash! Your father didn't love you! Even though you're his son, you're no match for me! I don't have my main account. But if I do, you're already dead before you know it!" I yelled, while checking my surroundings.

The area had nothing but garbage and shattered walls that came from the destroyed ceiling. I couldn't use anything against Clement and for this situation. No matter how I tried, Clement had more resources than me. If that kid charged at me without thinking, he would have already killed me within two minutes.

Thankfully, Clement moved based on his emotions. And that was one thing I used to my advantage.

"Say that again and I will play seriously with you!" Clement growled, as he stopped on his tracks. "Or are you just a coward, luring me to a cheap trick? I won't fall for that, Fenrir! Not this time! I already learned about your after image! YOu won't get me for a second time, Fenrir!"

Even though Clement had the better cards, he still became wary battling me. He must have known that I had some tricks on my sleeves that could lead him to a trap. I couldn't even use the same trick twice at Clement, even if I wanted. That kid could have learned it while we were too busy saving the people trapped inside this place.

"I am the strongest player in this game. Even though your father gave you some toys, you can't still beat the leader boards? Check for yourself! I have more statistical power than you! I have better weapons and armour than you! And most importantly, the game loves me more than you! My skills are incomparable to you, since I have all the rare stuff! And you don't!" I mocked once again, hoping to crack Clement's volcano open.

And I succeeded in shattering his shells as Clement charged straight at me. He didn't even say anything and let his emotions lead like the emotions movie I had seen in the cinema. But that was the worst thing he could have done, as I isolated him from the civilians.

However, that was also the worst part, since I had to deal with this brat alone. And Clement was not just a kid with overpowered arms that could kill a nation. He also had some skills that would make a fool out of Dr. Strange from the marvel comics.

As soon as Clement arrived within my vicinity, he crashed the table and aimed his gun at the back. He even used his lightning speed to catch me by surprise.  But much to his expectations, I already left that table. 

I used my [Wolf Walk] and travelled all the way towards the detonated ceiling. Even though Clement used his lightning speed, I still outsmarted him by making the first move. I was always two steps ahead of him, since Clement governed his emotions more than his head. 

And thanks to that rash decision, I fell on the ceiling and kicked Clement's back….However, that scene didn't go too well for me.

The first ability that I used to escape from Clement backfired against me. He used my skill and disappeared, leaving a log at my fore. Clement's figure that caught my eyes was not the real one. I could only use that skill against NPCs, which limited me from using it against players. But Clement cracked the lock and used it against me, a player of this game. 

I tried using the same spell against Clement, but he was too quick. Using his lightning speed, Clement appeared from behind and jabbed my back. That attack forced me to hover against the wall, nearly bursting to the other side. I was like a painting hung on the wall, displayed for everyone to see.

But thanks to my wolf form, I bore the damage and kept it around my appendages. The assault spread throughout my left body part, but not enough to kill me. I had experienced more from the past. So this pain was nothing but an ant biting my Excalibur down my belt.

Even though this world was just a game, I didn't let Clement hit my vital organs. The game operated as if we were in real life, with some pixelated dust as our wounds. And since the Code's pain scale went over the roof, a throbbing sensation greeted my body.

"FUCK! THAT HURTS A LOT!" I screamed, while clenching my fist. 

Fortunately, I turned to my side before I could hit the wall. The damage spread around my left arm and made it immoible. Despite this handicapped, I still needed to fight Clement without my non-dominant hand.

"Aw, you almost had me….Too bad your skill didn't help you this time. And look at you, number one player! You're so pathetic, you lost an arm!" Clement said, as he gingerly made his way towards my figure.

The scene made it worse as those soldiers finally reached Robin and Friar's side. Those two sides exchanged bullets as they fought until one of them finished the other. As luck would have it, none of the civilians tasted death from their battle. But since Friar and Robin had limited resources, those two would lose their duel.

"Why are you looking there when the battle's here? Don't tell me you're worrying about them and not yourself? I mean, look at you! You're going to die because of your arrogance and stupidity!" Clement shouted, as he finally reached my front.

Clement grabbed me by my nape and obstructed my trache. I let out a cough while glaring at Clement, since it was the only thing that I could do. I tried lifting my hands and attacking Clement using my wolf claws, but couldn't. All the energy inside my body left me, surrendering myself to Clement.

"Any last words before I take you into the gameover town?" Clement grumbled, as he choked my neck tighter than before.

But before I could lose my conscientiousness, a trembling voice reverberated through the room. "Despite being gifted with power, you don't dare to use them properly? What a waste, especially with that legendary equipment.

That voice came from someone I knew…..Someone that I called my partner.