Over the span of six months since completing their training, the Max and Alex duo had completed dozens of assignments similar to the one they were currently on.
It was early morning. The sun was hidden behind thick clouds, though faint rays of light still filtered through the broken windows of an apartment on the fifth floor. The air smelled of stale fabric from old sofas and moldy mattresses. An AR-10 sniper rifle lay on the table, its barrel pointed through the kitchen window, aimed at the road below. Next to it sat Max, peering through the scope while casually eating salty crackers.
"Six tangos at the end of the road. Target at 730 meters. Slight left wind, adjust two clicks left. Fire when ready," said Alex impassively.
"Copy. Eyes on target. Firing," Max replied quietly, exhaling slowly.
Pheew! Pheew! Pheew! Pheew!
"Four down. Two left," said Alex, always a little amazed as he watched four bodies drop, each with a bullet hole clean through the forehead. The remaining two scrambled, panicking, trying to identify the shooter's position but failing miserably.
Inhale... Exhale...
Pheew! Pheew!
"Six down. Good job, Ghost. Let's relocate," said Alex, already packing up his gear.
"Let's go. And stop calling me that when it's just the two of us. The guys at the camp gave me that nickname after one of the missions. If I recall correctly, you were there too... Reaper," replied Max, chuckling as he reloaded the AR and slung it over his back.
"Sure, sure, whatever you say, Ghost," Alex chuckled.
They left the apartment, descending the stairs and slipping out the back of the building, opposite the road.
"Hey Alex, let's head to that building in the distance. It was clear a few hours ago and offers a good vantage point," said Max as they moved through narrow alleys in the war-torn city.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at a seven-story apartment block. As usual, Alex took point with his trusted AR-15, scanning the area before proceeding.
"Clear. Let's move in. Stay quiet," he whispered, his instincts tingling.
Max nodded in response.
They approached the door, opening it slowly. A soft creak echoed before Alex froze, hearing movement inside. Instead of pushing through, he circled the building and entered through a shattered window on the first floor. Quietly, he crept toward the sound, ready for close combat.
He peeked into the room and saw a grotesque scene: a group of rats feasting on a dead man. Turning back, he signaled Max.
"That was me," Alex said, easing open the door. "Come in. Just a dead guy being eaten by rats. No one else here."
"Disgusting. Alright, let's head to the sixth floor. We can eat there—I'm still hungry," said Max, trying to ignore his nausea.
Thirty minutes later, Alex was heating up an army meal while Max kept watch.
"Hey Al, why'd you even join the war?" Max asked, trying to pass the time.
"Nothing dramatic. I've always been into martial arts and fighting. Had a match once where I nearly killed the guy. Just one punch to the face. Not my fault his skills were garbage," Alex said with a sigh. "Got disqualified, couldn't fight legally anymore. Then the war started, and I figured if I messed someone up here, no one would care."
Max turned, trying to stifle a laugh, then glanced back to the window.
"You're even crazier than I am," he said. "I just got bored of life. What about your family? They okay?"
"Yeah, they're back in Kyiv. Dad's still working at the hospital. Mom helps around the house. I send all my pay home. They were scared at first, but now they've kinda accepted it," Alex said, handing Max a bowl of mac and cheese.
"Thanks," said Max, digging in. "Man, we've changed so much. I look like a damn athlete and barely flinch at life or death anymore. You look like you crawled out of a swamp, with that beard and mud all over your face."
"Screw you," Alex laughed. "Anyways, so I wanted to ask you about…"
He looked out the window just as a glowing blue screen appeared in front of them:
[ THE BARREN PATH ]
User Detected: Max Shevchenko
The Barren Path has registered your presence.
You are now linked to the System.
Progress requires effort. Failure will instruct. Mastery is your only reprieve.
Transfer to the Tutorial Zone will occur in 60 seconds.
→ Time Remaining: [ 00:58 ]
They both read the message, then exchanged glances. Max snapped out of it first.
"Shut up and don't interrupt. This looks like one of the systems from the novels I've read. It could be real. If we enter that Tutorial, there's a good chance we'll die. Survive however you can. Adapt fast. Get stronger—for when we come back."
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8
7
"If I die, take care of my family," Max said quickly. "Tell them I love them."
5
4
"Same for me, man," said Alex. "Tell them I love—"
0
A blinding white light enveloped them—and the rest of the world. In an instant, they vanished into an unknown plane, leaving only the rapidly changing Earth behind.