The improvised gun went off with a crack, and Jacob saw a bullet punch into Shards shoulder. The man ignored the hit and continued to charge at his opponent with manic speed. Panicked, Jacob tumbled the hammer only for Shard to knock him to the ground with a growl. The gun clattered out of the man’s hand, and Jacob felt his head impact onto the ground. His vision went funny and a ringing sound echoed in the man’s ear. Jacobs grip loosened and Shard managed to sink the shiv into his chest.

  Jacob yelled in pain and kicked Shard with all his might. The man barely seemed to feel it and pulled the knife out before attempting to shank his opponent yet again. In response, Jacob grabbed hold of the berserk man and fought to hold him off. He failed and the knife hit him in the shoulder, provoking a bolt of pain.

  With all his might and then some, Jacob punched Shard in the face. The man’s nose broke, and Jacob thought he might have even knocked some teeth loose in the blow. Shards grip loosened, and Jacob kicked him in the crotch as a follow-up. That was enough to cause the feral man to recoil in pain, and allowed Jacob to push him off.

  Shard was up within seconds and charged back towards Jacob, though he seemed to be slowing down. This ‘Feral Mode’ can’t last forever, Jacob thought. I need to run this guy down and then… kill him. The man pulled the shiv out of his shoulder with a wince of pain. It’s the stupid hospital all over again, he thought as Jacob dodged Shards bull charge. They can just beat the shit out of me all they want and all I can do is run or dodge. I’m sick of it. I’m goddamn sick of it!

  As Jacob dodged Shards second charge, he made a run for the revolver and managed to pick it up right as his opponent slammed into him. The man fell to the ground face-first as heavy boots began to kick him in his ribs and stomach.

  [WARNING: LOW HEALTH]

  NOT AGAIN!

  Acting on pure instinct, Jacob pointed the revolver and shot Shard in the knee. The man let out a cry of pain and collapsed, clutching his crippled leg. Jacob got up and took the shiv before he got to his feet and stared at Shard. He was clutching his leg and sobbing as Jacob felt the shivs grip. Should I kill him? He tried to kill me… but do I want to be just like him? I’m not a killer, I’m a washed-up playboy… but I’m not in the world of technology and socialites anymore. I’m in this burned-out wasteland now. And this guy just tried to kill me. Jacob raised the shiv above his head, and Shard looked at him, terror in his eyes. “No- please don’t- don’t do it! Don’t kill me-“

  Jacob brought the improvised knife down into Shards right eye socket. The man gurgled and went limp, the light fading from his remaining eye.

  Jacob stepped back, chest heaving. I did it. I killed somebody. What do I do now? What are the townsfolk here going to do once they find out?

  Another one of those text sounds echoed in Jacobs ear and derailed his panic attack. A blue box popped up in the man's vision, its ‘screen’ juddering and flickered at random as usual. This one was larger and had a denser block of text plastered across it.

  Enemy Defeated [Enforcer_Rank_5] x1

  100 XP gained!

  [CONGRATULATIONS!]

  You have reached enough experience to unlock full usage of the Directional User Survival Terminal. This includes access to the Inspection Focus, Stat File, GPS screen, and Notes tools.

  The Directional User Survival Terminal (abbreviated as the acronym DUST) is a nanobot-based survival system designed by [NULL] to increase your chances of surviving in the Badlands. The DUST is an all-in-one tool that connects you to a high-speed, fast-acting computer network that both guides you through danger and upgrades your body to make you all but unstoppable.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  The DUST system relies on nanobots (“Nanos”) that work with your body and mind to increase your capabilities, gain perks to survive and thrive in the Badlands.

  It appears you have not gone through your introduction to DUST usage. Would you like to start the tutorial? [Now]/[Later]

  Jacob coughed as some grit got in his mouth. Definitely later he thought, as the box shrunk into a small dot in the corner of his screen. Alongside it was a meter for ‘Health’ and ‘Stamina,’ (both were low), plus a compass and a clock. I have a HUD now?

  Get into shelter you moron!

  Jacob dragged Shards body into the guardpost and locked the door behind himself. He was finding it hard to look at the body. The man knew he’d killed Shard in self-defense, but it was still unnerving to Jacob how easy it was. He knew it was in self-defense and Shard would have done the same to him… but it was still scary. What do I do now?

  What I need to do is get the hell out of here. Once they find Shards body the whole town will be on my ass. The best I can do is loot this place and escape. However, Jacobs thoughts trailed back towards the note and Shards words. They’re going to try to break in and loot the town. Then what will they do with the people here? If these people are like the raiders in the movies I watched, they might kill everyone or attempt to enslave the town. Or worse.

  Jacob pursed his lips. I’m not going to fight for these people, but I can at least warn them about the raiders. There should be a siren or other way the people here communicate about danger. I’m not going to get out of here without equipment though. He glanced over at the body of Shard, specifically the chest plate and bracers. Armor. I need armor, weapons, medical supplies and hopefully food. This place has two or three of those things.

  Jacob slipped the bracers off the corpses body, wincing at his wounds. Maybe there’s another one of those syringes in here. I hope anyway. First I need to get protection—arms and armor, which I’ve got right here. Jacob inspected the bracers, which were made of padded leather with old pieces of synthetic foam on the inside. Padding? Sewn-on belts acted as wrist straps. As Jacob stared at them, something clicked in his brain and a box popped up.

  [BASIC BRACERS]

  Rarity: Common; Cost: 40 Scrap

  Melee Protection: Moderate

  Ranged Protection: Low

  Explosion Protection: Poor

  Encumbrance: Light; Location: Forearm(s)

  A common set of improvised bracers used by many a wasteland explorer or tough. They are worn on the forearms, and can be used to block blows. While providing notable protection from melee attacks, these bracers give little protection against ranged weaponry and next to nothing against explosions. Regardless, they are a welcome addition to any low-Rank Users arsenal.

  I’m going to guess ‘low-rank’ applies to me. The man took them and Shards breastplate (made of leather and metal) and slipped that on as well. Jacob would have loved to change out of his tattered clothing, but there was nothing else to wear but Shards gear. Something about that made the man even more uncomfortable that taking his armor… so he stuck with his tattered outfit. Now weapons.

  The revolver was still there, and after Jacob ransacked the gun cabinet, he had a belt holster, bandolier, liberal amount of ammo and a shotgun with a back holster. The shotgun was as improvised as the revolver; single-barrel, made of piping and powered by a simple trigger mechanism and hammer. Jacob discovered it reloaded by twisting out part of the barrel, where a slot for ammo was located. He popped in a shell and twisted it closed before he strapped the holster on and placed the scattergun in its rightful place.

  Most of the other items Jacob needed were in the building. He didn’t have food or medical supplies, but he had a backpack, ammo, clothes, weapons, and even a pair of goggles and a bandanna. That should keep out the dust. Now I just need to give these people a warning and I’ll be on my merry way.

  Right at that moment, a radio on the table crackled, a rough voice coming through it. “Shard! Where the hell are you, you idiot? We’re trying to open the gate and you’re still a no-show. Get your ass down here you lazy drunk! NOW!”

  Those must be the traitors, Jacob thought. And that double-confirms Shard was working with them. There’s got to be a siren or a bell or something outside that I can use. Just have to go out there and find it…

  Jacob slipped the goggles and bandanna on before he looked at the door and took a deep breath. Okay. All I have to do is let off an alarm. Then, I escape in the confusion and neither me or the town see each other again. It’s that easy. With that, the man opened the door and went back into the storm.