Beyond Phantasia

The room was much larger than I had anticipated. The area around us began to terraform, shifting from high-to-low landscapes. Beep! Beep! Without a moment's hesitation, the bots started to swarm.

Move, all of you!” Gallagher commanded. “I’ll take on most of the bots. The rest of you are allowed one bot each. Zero for you, 4000.

Gallagher made his way to the center mimicking Elara stance. However, he couldn’t.

“W-what when did it become so heavy?”

“S-s-sir… the instructor specifically stated that the combat room can change the weight of the weapons, which was why he instructed that we shouldn't be carrying such heavy—.”

“Shut up!” Gallagher yelled. “Y-You!”

"AHHHHHHH!" Everyone turned around. One of the group members was caught by a bot. Crack! The bot twisted his arm.

“W-w-what!” Gallagher’s voice screamed. “H-his arm!”

“Y-you explain!” Gallagher commanded the other member in the group.

“T-the combat training room is meant to simulate real-life scenarios, s-so…”

Pop!

A robot disappeared behind the member.

[Jack of All Trades: Active]

“If you don’t want to get hurt. Cover for me,” I said.

While they were talking, I was inspecting the pistol. For the most part, I didn’t understand the mechanism or components, but I found the trigger. However, 'Jack of All Trades' activated because of my shooting. This means one thing: I might not handle all the guns well, but I’ve got my aim.

THUMP!

My heart started to beat even faster, but this time it didn’t hurt.

Was it from the shot I took?

I fired another shot at one of the bots closing in.

Thump! Thump!

Why is this happening? Damn it, focus. There’s no time for this.

More bots started to swarm in.

My heart pounded in my chest as I shot the plasma pistol, its sleek frame fitting snugly in my grip. I pulled the trigger, sending concentrated bursts of energy scorching through the nearest bots. Each shot felt precise.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

“T-That’s not enough!” Gallagher screamed at me.

“I’m aware,” I said.

The training bots advanced, I swiftly drew a set of knives from my belt. I spun around, flicking the knives with deadly accuracy. They whizzed through the air, embedding themselves in the approaching bots. This staggered them enough where I could land my shots with the pistol in them.

“Move! We need to move!” I commanded, scanning the area. “Take shelter to our left, at nine o’clock! Provide cover fire.”

Gallagher and the other two moved toward the position I pointed out.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Click.

Fuck. They’re not even landing their shots.

I threw the pistol to the side and grabbed the rifle off my back, raising it to eye level.

Thump! Thump!

The rifle crackled to life, blue plasma bolts erupting from the barrel in rapid succession. The energy bolts pierced the bots, creating flashes of light and heavy explosions as they disappeared.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I regrouped with the other members in time.

“W-what do we do now?” Gallagher’s lackey squealed.

“We need to advance. I spotted a high point where we can gain the high ground,” I said, pointing in the general direction. “We need to work together or else we’re screwed. Do I make myself clear.”

“Y-yes.” The other two responded.

“Gallagher?” I stared daggers.

“Tsk. Fine,” He said.

“Good. Let’s move.”

There’s a chance he won’t listen, but I don’t have a choice right now.

The bots moved forward, I adjusted my aim, shifting the rifle smoothly to my next target.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each squeeze of the trigger sent another bolt flying, carving a path through the bots. The recoil from the rifle was manageable, a slight jolt with each shot, but I knew I could handle it.

“Move!” I yelled.

"The others made their way to the path leading to the high point, with me following closely behind. As I approached, Gallagher and his lackey were already at the top.

“What are you doing?” I yelled.

At the top, Gallagher was holding our fourth member by the collar.

“If two more of you are gone, not only will you be disqualified, but that’s more points for us! Aha! Thank you, 4000. You really made my day,” Gallagher cheered, throwing our other member off the high point.

AHHHHHH!

“Fuck.”

I've given this kid too much leniency, and even worse, I'm getting tired. Carrying all these guns and running is taking a toll on me.

Thump! Thump!

Tsk. I clicked my tongue.

I grabbed the shotgun off my back. The shotgun was heavy, its weight grounding me as I swung it around. I squeezed the trigger, and the shotgun roared to life. The recoil slammed into my shoulder, the pain barely bearable. A bright, blue-green beam shot from the barrel, slicing through multiple bots. Each shot took a toll on my shoulder one after another.

Think Hien! Think!

Another burst of plasma erupted from the barrel, and a group of bots exploded in a shower of twisted metal and sparks.

There.

"I ran with every ounce of strength I had left. With each advancing bot, I pulled the trigger of my shotgun.

Bang! Bang!

My left arm was heavily bruised.

Bang! Bang! Click.

I switched to my rifle, aiming with my right arm.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Almost there!

With each pull of the trigger, I felt a surge of adrenaline, driving me to push harder, shoot faster, to move.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Click.

I threw the rifle aside and hurled a few knives to stall the bots that were closing in.

Thump! Thump!

My heartbeat quickened.

Finally, I made it.

Gallagher’s minigun, which he had left behind.

“This better work.”

I bent down and pulled with all my might. AHHHHH! I let out a scream as sweat dripped down my face and body, drenching me. I could feel every bone and fiber in my body tearing away, the pain painting me with nothing but aches and screams.

[Jack of All Trades: Active]

I lifted the minigun and braced myself as the minigun fired up. The barrels began to spin and unleash continuous barrage rounds. I held down the trigger, feeling the extreme strain of the weapon's recoil. My arm was begging to give out.

Thirty more seconds!

I gritted my teeth and endured.

Thump! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

My heart screamed. It yelled. It craved everything. This wasn’t my heart, but it wanted it all.

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!

The bots continued to pour in. The swarm seemed to never end as I continued to pour endless bullets.

[3]

Almost there!

[2]

C'mon!

[1]

[5 Minutes Completed! Calculating score…]

I dropped to my knees, staring at the ceiling as all the bots disappeared. My body, shaking.

“Fuck. I’m tired.”

Thump. Thump.

My heart rate stabilized, and the painful sensation faded away. Finally, with the last of my energy, I turned my head to look at the scoreboard.