Becoming the Strongest as a Game Dev

A little while before.

Ruby has just gotten back from another expedition from beyond the wall. She was about to head home.

Ruby trudged through the city gates, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. "I just want my bed," she muttered to herself. "These missions are getting more and more draining."

Ruby's weary steps suddenly halted as she noticed a commotion ahead. A group of ragged, emaciated individuals burst into view, their movements desperate and frantic. Their skin hung loose on their frames, and terror etched deep lines across their faces.

Behind them, Revenant guards charged forward, weapons drawn and faces set with brutal intent. Something about the scene didn't feel right to Ruby.

Without hesitation, Ruby ran towards them and positioned herself between the prisoners and the guards. Her hand instinctively reached for her weapon - the Kalina Ann rocket launcher strapped to her back.

"Stop right there," she called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. The prisoners scrambled behind her, their breathing ragged and panicked. The Revenant guards skidded to a halt, surprised by her sudden intervention.

A Revenant guard stepped forward, his voice dripping with contempt. "This doesn't concern you. Move aside."

Ruby's grip tightened on the Kalina Ann. Her golden eyes narrowed. "Not happening."

In a blur of motion, she swung the rocket launcher, its metallic frame catching the sunlight. The first guard lunged, but Ruby pivoted, using the weapon's weight to slam him aside. Another guard rushed her from the right. She fired a quick rocket that exploded at his feet, sending him tumbling backward.

The prisoners huddled behind her as Ruby stood her ground, Kalina Ann raised and ready for the next attack.

Ruby's Kalina Ann smoking from the recent rocket blast, she dispatched the remaining Revenant guards with swift, precise strikes. The prisoners cowered behind her, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and hope.

She turned to them, her voice firm but compassionate. "What happened? Where did you come from?"

An older man stepped forward, his body thin and marked with bruises. "We were prisoners in the Revenant base. A man helped us escape, but he stayed behind to distract the guards and ensure our safety."

Ruby's golden eyes narrowed. "Where exactly is this base?"

The prisoner provided a detailed location in the industrial district. Ruby nodded, her expression hardening with determination.

"Go to the Hunter headquarters," she instructed the group. "Report everything you know. Tell them about the the Revenant base."

The prisoners hesitated, then nodded. As they hurried away, Ruby checked her Kalina Ann, reloading and preparing for a rescue mission. She was going to find Sam, no matter what.

Ruby arrived at the industrial district location. Flames engulfed the Revenant base, smoke billowing into the sky. The sounds of intense combat echoed through the burning complex. Without hesitation, she raised the Kalina Ann and blasted through a concrete wall, debris exploding outward.

In the smoke-filled room, Alaric stood menacingly. Ruby immediately fired the rocket launcher directly at him. Through the chaos and flames, she spotted Sam collapsed and wounded nearby. She called out, her voice cutting through the destruction, "Need a hand?"

Sam stirred, recognizing Ruby through the smoke and flames. His voice came out weak but curious. "Ruby? What are you doing here?"

Ruby lowered her Kalina Ann, a smirk crossing her face. "Just happened to be in the neighborhood. Found some prisoners escaping from these Revenant guys."

"Are they okay?" Sam asked, struggling to sit up.

"Heading to Hunter Headquarters," Ruby responded. "They'll be safe now."

Alaric rose from the rubble, his scarred face contorting with rage. He glared at Ruby, his eyes burning with intensity.

Ruby turned to Sam. "Who's this guy?"

Sam, still struggling to maintain consciousness, managed to respond. "That's Alaric. The leader of the Revenants."

He coughed, then added with a weak but determined voice, "We should beat him here."

Alaric roared, his massive frame charging toward Ruby and Sam with terrifying speed. Ruby raised the Kalina Ann, firing a rocket that exploded against Alaric's chest. The Revenant leader barely flinched, continuing his assault.

Sam activated his shadow manipulation, creating a dark shield that deflected Alaric's first strike. Ruby leaped to the side, her dual pistols blazing. Bullets peppered Alaric's body, but he moved with inhuman speed.

"Cover me!" Sam shouted. His energy shield bracelet glowed as he dodged Alaric's brutal punch. Ruby responded instantly, launching a series of rockets that forced Alaric to retreat momentarily.

Alaric's scarred face twisted with rage. He grabbed a nearby metal pipe, swinging it like a weapon. Sam's shadow manipulation created a defensive barrier, but the pipe shattered through, sending Sam sliding across the floor.

Ruby charged forward, Kalina Ann raised like a club. She struck Alaric's side, the weapon's weight creating a massive impact. Alaric grunted but grabbed her weapon, attempting to wrench it from her hands.

Sam seized the moment. His shadows wrapped around Alaric's legs, tripping the massive man. Ruby used the distraction to fire point-blank, the rocket exploding against Alaric's shoulder.

Alaric roared in pain and fury. He broke free from Sam's shadows, charging with renewed intensity. Sam and Ruby exchanged a quick glance - a moment of perfect synchronization.

Ruby fired her pistols, creating a wall of bullets. Sam's shadows wrapped around Alaric's arms, restricting his movement. The Revenant leader struggled, but Ruby and Sam's combined assault pushed him back.

With a final coordinated strike, Ruby launched a rocket while Sam manipulated his shadows to compress around Alaric. The explosion and shadow compression created a devastating combination.

Alaric fell, defeated.

Sam collapsed against the wall, breathing heavily. Ruby leaned on her Kalina Ann, catching her breath. He turned to her, concern etching his features.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked.

Ruby wiped a streak of soot from her cheek. "Just fine. We should get out of here."

Sam shook his head. "Not yet. I have one last thing to do."

His voice was weak but determined, leaving a sense of unresolved purpose hanging in the smoke-filled room.

///

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Advance chapters in my P@|r$0n/Najicablitz