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>>4168609
"These will have to do then" Paula states, allocating the appropriate points to the group's choices, "hopefully, these will make the difference when the time comes."

"I know they will Paula" you reply with a smile, as she presses the final <Finish Purchase> button on the screen. She returns your smile in kind, while the screen fades away and returns back with a single message.

<Good Choice! Remaining Points: Erick 'Fucking' Vanders - 20; Paula 'APB' Torrez - 1; Chris 'Savage' Bowery - 21; Poo-in-the-loo. M.D. - 32; El Cabrocia - 1; Sumaruto Rori 1>

All eyes are on the message as it remains on the ball's screen for a moment, before fading from its screen as well and a whirring click begins to stir within. The whirring gives way to a click on the front of the ball, which is followed by a panel opening to a camera-like object within. Its black, glassy aperture only lets you gaze for a moment before a flash of light and sound covers your senses. The others cry out in surprise and annoyance as well, yet your crippled senses only linger for a moment before they're returned.

The others hold a similar state of recoil to your own, yet differences are around you with some interesting additions. The group's suits, along with your own, hold a new set of buttons surrounding your chest area in diamond shape glowing with the same unknown energy as the rest. The others hold similar gazes to the changes, yet it's Tanjeet that notices the changes to the pistols first. As he holds up the weapon, you spot the new enlarged and ridged gun barrel lining with its familiar black, plastic-like finish.

"Yeah, you better believe these will make a difference!" Chris exclaims, shadow boxing a few punches towards the room's window, "Let's see those alien shit-heads take a shot at us now. Come on, Erick, throw me a punch, see if the upgrade is working or not?"

"Knock it off man" Dante replies, giving Chris a knock on his shoulder, "though, you're right in that the suit feels...different now than before. You feel it too, right Erick?"

You furrow your brows to his question and blink a few times before you take notice of what he means. There's a light, hot sensation coming from your finger and toe-tips as they press against the suit's fabric. You give your hand a quick flex, along with your arms, before the sensation seems to cover your upper body. It's almost like thin blanket of warmth surrounding you, yet it fades away the moment look at Dante again.

"Yeah, I don't remember anything like this" you respond, and see the others repeat your example with their own suits, "at least we'll get to practice with them before the next mission."

"I think you should focus on something else first" Luis interjects, giving you a serious look, "the police are currently holding an arrest warrant on Paula and, given the circumstances, you as well Erick. What do you intend to do about that?"

His comment issued silence in the room as you thought of a way to respond to him.

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>>4168610

>Forget it, we can think about it later
>Hide, we'll have to keep out of the spotlight for a while
>Innocence, use whatever friends you have to cool the heat against you and Paula
>Write In

OOC: I don't know why it's eating my trip. I blame China.

>>4168614
>>Innocence, use whatever friends you have to cool the heat against you and Paula
Is Erick going to get a recap on everything that’s happened since he died or what?

>>4168614
>>Hide, we'll have to keep out of the spotlight for a while

we don't have any friends to do that besides Chis dad and dealing with him is the same as dealing with the devil.

let's face it, we can't have our lives back, we have to hide and focus on our training

>>4169038
>>4169159

OOC: Yes, you will have a recap of what happened retold to Erick. Given what you already know, I'll keep it brief when it happens.

>>4168614

>Hide, we'll have to keep out of the spotlight for a while

Erick's already presumed dead right? Shouldn't be too hard for him.

>>4169159
>>4169421

>>Hide, we'll have to keep out of the spotlight for a while

2 for this, writing.

>>4169421
OOC: With the exception of the lizards, everyone out of Gantz assumes Erick disappeared.

Draw your conclusions from there, pertaining to what Luis said.

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>>4169446

"What do you mean an arrest warrant?" you respond with a furrowed brow, "aren't you her partner in the police force? And we already resolved the issue of us being aligned with the incident last April."

"Tell that to the FBI" Luis replied, a grave tone overtaking his voice, "they reopened the investigation against you after the incident in the Smithsonian, said that your sudden disappearance from your workplace a few hours prior coincided too well with the break in."

Your eyes narrowed over the news, trying to see on Luis's face whether his news were true or not. A hand on your right shoulder turned your attention away, towards a serious looking Paula.

"He's telling the truth Erick" she spoke in a similarly grave tone, "I'm not aware of the details myself, but before we were called to the room, the police and the FBI assaulted our apartment. They may have been looking for a means of finding you or taking me in as a means of making me talk as if I knew where you were, am I correct in that assumption?"

She held cold anger in those last words as she looked to Luis for a response. He quickly gave one with a nod of confirmation, which only made more blood rush to your head in concern.

"They'll know where you both are if you try to go back there" Luis stated, lowering his gaze, "I don't even know if the tri-state area may be safe anymore given the amount of resources they're allocating to finding you and proof of your involvement. I don't even think I might be able to show myself out there either, given what I know."

"Even if you weren't under suspicion" Chris interjected with a look of concern, "you couldn't tell them either, or Gantz will blow up your head. But at least you now know the reason why all those other incidents happened as well as why Erick disappeared."

"I wish I hadn't known honestly" Luis responds with a shake of his head, "but now that I do, all I can do is try to help you and make up for the grief I caused Paula. As far as they know, everyone involved in the operation to your apartment is dead and you're still missing, so the only question remains on what to do?"

Luis's many revelations had kept you in a state of silence for a good minute, as you hadn't the words to reply to him. The revelation of the attack on your home, coupled with the implications of a massacre that could have happened in there only compounded to the growing pain in your temple. It was too much to take in, but you already knew that there was only one real option to choose.

"We'll have to hide" you answer, your brow twitching in growing pain, "I'm not sure where or how, but we can't rely on anyone that isn't in this room with our location. If we're already disappeared, then we'll have to go fully off the radar after tonight."

Audible sounds of concern from the others surrounded you, along with a knowing gaze from Paula that almost held regret in her eyes. You were about to say something before the knocking sound of wood resonated from the hall.

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>>4169551

>Investigate, see what the noise is about
>Plan, let the others worry about it and keep planning with Luis
>Discuss, let the others worry about it and speak to Paula about what else happened in the week
>Write In

>>4169558

>Investigate, see what the noise is about

>>4169558
>>Investigate, see what the noise is about

>>4169558
>Investigate, see what the noise is about
Oh, and take a gun with you.

>>4169627
>>4169681
>>4169806

>Investigate, see what the noise is about

3 for this, writing, and including the gun write in.

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>>4171360

The sound started light at first, which a metallic rattle and banging, but had begun to intensify with grunts of effort and impact. Since the door in front of you wasn't shaking from the pounding, it was natural to assume the impacts were coming from the other door.

"That better not be Kurtis" Dante spat, making his way towards the exit, "I've 'bout had enough of his
bullshit tonight."

"Met too" Allie spoke up, heading up behind Dante, "and you'll need me to get him to listen at anything now."

"I'll come with as well" you added, while waving to Tanjeet, "and mind if I borrow that? Not for Kurtis, but...in case it isn't Kurtis making that noise."

"Sure" Tanjeet answered, handing you over his gun, "pretty sure you of all people won't blow his head. But, don't you have the psychic stuff for that?"

"I'd prefer to spare it if I can" you state, holstering the weapon, "I've bled out of my nose and ears from using a lot."

Tanjeet nods in understand before you, Dante and Allie head towards towards the hallway door. Yet the moment you reach out for the handle, the pounding sounds of wood abruptly stop. The sudden silence in the hall freezes your hand for a moment, before the heavy steps of someone on the other side quickly approach the door. You're almost taken aback by the sheer speed of the hall door opening as Kurtis harshly steps into the living room.

"Hey!" Dante blurts out, moving to catch Kurtis by the shoulder, "What the hell was going on out there?! Were you pounding on the-"

"Did the ball give out another message?" Kurtis interrupts, as Dante pulls him back by his shoulders, "it's been more than ten minutes since it finished scoring us. It should have let us out by now!"

"You gotta calm down, Kurtis" Allie advised, moving to his side, "it's been less than five minutes since we finished our upgrades, so there's still time. Besides, it's not as if that ball has been the most reliable anything since the start."

"Wait...he's not entirely wrong" Tanjeet interjected, earning a look of concern from everyone, "the time when we leave this room, is one of the few things Gantz has been consistent about besides its main rules. Granted, this is Kurtis's second time with it but-"

"But you see what I mean!" Kurtis blurts out, looking over to you now, "Erick, that thing isn't letting us out of this room and we need to get to the bottom of this."

"Maybe it's a glitch?" Yukino questioned, holding a finger to her lips, "like that time Erick came back unconscious to the room. Maybe it's having an error and is opening the door a little later?"

"Whatever it is, if it even is anything" Paula speaks up, walking towards Kurtis, "we're not going to do anything about it while shouting out lungs out. Follow what Allie is telling you and calm down Kurtis."

Though Paula's words rang true for the room, you still couldn't shake the feeling that something may be ongoing. If anything to calm the nerves of everyone else.

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>>4171487

>Investigate, try out the door for yourself
>Wait, give Gantz another more time on opening the door
>Gantz, go and see if anything was happening with Gantz
>Write In

>>4171493
>>Gantz, go and see if anything was happening with Gantz

GOD DAMNINT IT'S ANOTHER HUNT ISN'T IT?

>>4171499
also, tell everyone to keep the suits on for now or at least close just in case something else happens here, be it lizards or some other bullshit

>>4171493

>Gantz, go and see if anything was happening with Gantz

>>4171493
>Gantz, go and see if anything was happening with Gantz

those ears bout to get fingered BOI

>>4171493
>Instruct everyone to use the scanner functions and radars to see if there's any unusual activity around the building. Meanwhile, Eric will:
>Gantz, go and see if anything was happening with Gantz

>>4171499
>>4171508
>>4171519
>>4171521

>Gantz, go and see if anything was happening with Gantz

I'll take these for tonight, and update after work tomorrow.

Also including this anon's write in.

>Instruct everyone to use the scanner functions and radars to see if there's any unusual activity around the building. Meanwhile, Eric will:

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>>4171536
"Fine but do something" Kurtis replied, trying to struggle out of Dante's grip, "before Gantz does something first. So long as that door isn't open, we all could still be in grave danger!"

He almost broke out of Dante's grip as he said this, not a hint of calmness in his voice. Chris was at Dante's side in a moment to keep him from breaking out completely free. The sheer fear on Kurtis's face was unlike any side you'd seen of his. Regardless of the uneasiness, you made your way past them.

"You've been out of it this whole hunt" Dante reprimanded, now holding Kurtis back by the arms, "what is wrong with you man?! You think this is gonna help anything?!"

"Just let me get to Gantz" Kurtis responded, wriggling in their grasp, "Chris did something to it before, more information had come out of it then, maybe it will do it now!"

"You don't even know what to do", Chris scolded, now holding him up to the wall, "what do you think you're gonna-"

"It was in the ear, right Chris?" you asked, as you moved forward towards the ball, "I know it's closed now, but is that the only way you can communicate with it?"

There was a look of surprise from everyone, who's gazes were boring onto you. The consideration for Kurtis's suggestion had caused everyone to either give you a double take or let out a 'what?!' of disbelief. Regardless, you awaited your answer from Chris with a serious look.

"Well...you can talk to it" he answered, somewhat hesitant, "I've seen people ask it for their points, getting into the game immediately and for that timer. But that's after if you stuck your finger in its ear, I'm not sure if it will do anything if you don't."

"We don't lose anything if we try" Luis added, looking over to the ball, "but to answer your question, Kurtis. No, it hasn't shown any messages since we gave it our points."

The spat behind you seemed to continue in spite of Paula and Dante's words to deescalate. You ignored it, knowing that it they would probably have it handled as you headed for the ball laying still in the back center of the room. Only Hailey and Yukino seemed to take notice of you as you approached, with Yukino approaching you to see what you were about to do. Giving the ball a good look over, there didn't seem to be any openings to pry it open or button to activate it manually.

"There's got to be a way to open it..." you thought out loud, and then looking to Haley, "you wouldn't know anything about that right?"

"N-no...I'm sorry" she replied, fidgeting a little, "I've only ever seen someone use it when it was open. But, I don't know if it even would communicate if you asked it a question."

"Hopefully it will" you respond, looking around its screen, "otherwise, we're going to be doing nothing in a room for a bit."

"What were you going to ask it?" Yukino adds, looking back at the small tumult near the door, "it's not as if they're going to say anything useful for a bit."

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>>4173867

>The door, why is it still closed?
>Nothing, just wait for a bit and see if it does do something
>Error, is there something wrong with it?
>Write In

>>4171521

OOC: I'll add your write in for the next section anon, sorry if I forgot.

>>4173879

>The door, why is it still closed

Oi gantz wtf
You wanna see how boring we can be?

>>4173879
>The door, why is it still closed?

>>4173879
>>The door, why is it still closed?

>>4173890
>>4173910
>>4174477

>The door, why is it still closed

3 for this, writing.

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>>4174585

"Well, just that" you start, scratching your head, "I am worried about what Kurtis said. Why is the door still closed?"

"I guess that's an obvious question" Yukino states, turning a bit apologetic, "I don't mind waiting longer, but my dad's going to panic if I'm not back. What about you Haley?"

"...I don't know" she replies, her eyes looking more downcast, "I've been gone for so long...I don't know if they'll even believe it when I come back. Or if they'll even still be there if I returned."

"Oh...I'm sorry" Yukino responded, looking more apologetic, "I didn't-"

Her abrupt pause gave way to a cautious look, which stared straight at Gantz's screen. Your eyes followed hers and arrived to a simple one word message displayed on the ball.

<W417>

The message's simplicity worried you, yet it was more the fact that there was a message at all that truly caused you to squint your eyes in caution. If Gantz had actually responded to your haphazard, then it was a sign that it could understand was ongoing in the room through sensory input. If it was coincidental or even planned, then it could only mean that there really was something looming in the following moments. Knowing what Gantz was capable of, you weren't going to take that chance.

"EVERYONE!" you commanded, your voice promptly ending the discussion near the door, "please settle down and listen up. Everyone with a radar, get to scanning the nearby area for any signatures."

"Erick," Tanjeet's voice cut in near Haley, "what's going on?"

"Gantz sent out a message" you answer, and moving away from the front of the screen, "but I'm not going to wait around to see what it means. Everyone without a radar, keep an eye on the outer door or on the ball here."

Their uneasy gazes fell on both you and the ball's eerie message, yet they nodded in response to your command. You almost let out a sigh of relief as they began following through on your order, yet Kurtis and Allie had decided to take a resting position near the wall to follow your orders. It had felt long since you'd used your authority within the group to order the team, but it was something you knew had to be done in a situation like this. You were about to make way for the hallway when Paula moved towards you.

"What exactly are we looking for Erick?" Paula asked, looking through her radar, "it only said to wait, but what exactly are we waiting on? You really think it's going to do something at a time like this?"

"I wish I could answer any of those questions" you answer, finally letting out a sigh, "the only thing I can think of is keeping an eye out for anything. If it's telling us to wait, then there's gotta be a time when it'll finally do something after we wait, right?."

"Yes, you're right" she admitted, finishing her radar's adjustment, "I guess it's just that...I'm getting sick of being paranoid everywhere. All of these questions and other external bullshit in and out of this game...and it only seems to get worse."

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>>4174705

>Me too, I'm sick of being chased like a rat
>Forget it, we'll have to get used to it now more than ever
>I know, but lose our focus if we linger on that
>Write In

>>4174710
>Me too, I'm sick of being chased like a rat

We need to genocide these invisilizards already.

>>4174710
>>Me too, I'm sick of being chased like a rat

>>4174778
lizard genocide best day of my life

I actually hope Gantz send us after them now, they had all their implants fucked up by the EMP and are more vulnerable than ever

>>4174710
I know but we lose our focus

>>4174710
>I know, but lose our focus if we linger on that
Paranoia in Gantz is a good thing in the moment, but bad longterm for your mental health. So be paranoid when it's warranted, and relax when it isn't.

>>4174919
>>4175038
>Supporting

We're already fucked out of our home, no need to either foment our concerns or be too headstrong against the issue.

>>4174919
>>4175038
>>4175064

>I know, but we'll lose our focus if we linger on that

3 for this, writing.

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>>4175175

"I know" you reply, placing a hand on her shoulder, "but we'll lose our focus if we linger on that any further. We'll deal with the questions once we know what's ahead."

"I just hope it doesn't take too long" she responds, giving you a simple smile, "thank you though, I'm glad that you still have a sound mind for these things Erick. I had...missed it."

There was a twinge of sadness at the end of her comment, not something you'd witnessed often from Paula. It hadn't really reached you just how much that expression must have been scrawled on her ever since you left. Even if it had just been for one week, you imagined the effect may have been similar on you had it been Paula that died instead. You were reaching out for her at that moment, to put your arms around her shoulders and tell her it wouldn't have to come to that again, before a voice cut through the bustle of the room.

"Hey!" Luis's voice cut through the din of the room, "the ball's got something new!"

You cursed the timing of his voice, as it had been less than three minutes since you'd issued the order for the group. Regardless, you took a look towards the ball and the new message sketched on its display.

<N3W 5C4MUCK5>

"What the hell does it mean new schmucks?" Allie states, turning away from his radar, "is it bringing new people in here? The hunt's over, why are there more people coming in here?"

"Maybe it's a message for the new people?" Yukino adds, crouching near the ball, "maybe it'll pop up with a new message on the screen after a moment?"

"No...it's like what Allie said" Kurtis answers, an expression of genuine fear overcoming him, "this thing never brings in anyone new unless it's starting up a new hunt. If it's anything like what happened in the last one...goddamnit!"

"Stop thinking like that!" Dante chastises, putting his foot down next to Kurtis, "we don't even know what that message means to begin with. For all we know Yukino's right and-"

Dante's voice and theory were immediately silenced the moment a thin, blueish laser began materializing a body right next to him. Everyone immediately pulled away, except Dante who stood motionless in a trance of surprise and fear. You would have kept up a similar appearance, had you not begun to recognize the person whom was teleported in. He stood a little taller than you, white hair trailing a long the hem of his beanie, with an eerie pair of milky white eyes.

'Beowulf" you thought to yourself, as the laser finished with his legs, 'Stheno's brother...what the hell...how..."

Your mental pondering halts as soon as the figure's feet touch the floor, something he responds with a hurried look towards his surroundings. Everyone's voices seem lost as he takes in the new sights, even Dante managed to take a step back towards the wall. That's when you felt a small, cold tendril enter your head. You attempted to block it out, but your mental defenses proved no match to this probe.

'Answer, what is happening and where am I?'

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>>4175480

>Wait, please the ball will explain everything
>Explain, tell him as much as you can
>Silence, tell him nothing but he may be more forceful
>Write In

>>4175488
>Explain, tell him as much as you can

>>4175480
>Explain, tell him as much as you can

lmoa u dead bro

>>4175488
>>Explain, tell him as much as you can

fucking hell, I knew there was another hunt coming damn

>>4175511
>>4175513
>>4175534

>Explain, tell him as much as you can

3 for this, writing.

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>>4176930

You had heard the the initial sounds of concerned questioning from the others around you, yet their words fell through against the hanging tendrils coiling themselves inside your head. It was a familiar, yet foreign, feeling that held the question to your head. Though overpowering, you leveled your own words against it like a current in a spun wire.

'If you're here, then it means you've died. We're still in DC, but that ball is keeping us here until we finish what it tells us to do.'

The cold tendril shook slightly, like it was trembling at your words, and Beowulf's eyes opened a little wider before you heard another reply.

'You're telling the truth...? How is this possible? What is all of this?'

A familiar thin beam of blue light shot out of the ball on the floor behind Beowulf as you sent your answer to him.

'No one here knows, but we believe aliens or something not from our planet may be involved. As for what all of this is, I can only describe it as a death game.'

As your reply was sent, your eyes darted away from Beowulf's expectant face and towards the newly materializing figure on the ground. You only got a small glance, as the faintly female body began materializing face down, before a light sting in your head shook the connections between you and Beowulf. His eyes narrowed in before sending you another message.

'Hey, pay attention when I'm speaking to you. If everything of what you're saying is true, then you must have been here before, right? Answer me, before I lose my-'

"Chi'en!"

A woman's shout cut across the room and dissolved the connection between the two of you, as Beowulf turned around. Your eyes followed his as you looked upon a panicked woman, scantly dressed in what looked like burned or scrapped clothing, rushed to his side. The white hair and similarly milky white eyes led you immediately to the woman's identity.

'Stheno...' you thought, narrowing your eyes, '...why both of them?'

"Jas'linh, oh my god..." Beowulf, or Chinh's, voice rang out, as he knelt to embrace her, "what the hell happened? I thought you were already in the apartment when-"

"N-no, I-I...there was...so much fire..." Jaslinh, or Stheno as you knew here, replied with in shallow breaths, "I couldn't...think...and I...just...oh god...I'm just so glad you're here."

The laid there in a comforting embrace for a moment, Stheno's voice eventually returning to normality as her brother spoke in an unfamiliar language to her. By the time Paula spoke out in the room, they had separated to a now confused crowd.

"I know you" she admitted, gaining Stheno's attention, "you were at our apartment earlier this week, said you were looking for Erick. You're the one he's was seeing about controlling his powers, right?"

"Didn't I tell you I'd kill you if you told anyone about that?" Stheno replied coldly, shooting daggers at Paula, "Better start regret saying that now, Paula, but I might reconsider if you tell me what the hell is going on."

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>>4176979

>No need, I told your brother everything
>Try it, and I'm sure you'll regret it much more
>Hey Stheno, I'm right here if you're still looking
>Write In

>>4176983
>>No need, I told your brother everything

>>4176987
add in

"We've been here before so if you listen to what we say your chances of getting out alive will improve."

>>4176983

>Cut that out Stheno, I told your brother evertthing already. Now calm down and tell me what happened.

>>4176983
>Hey Stheno, I'm right here if you're still looking

Come at me ho

>>4176987
>>4177006

>No need, I told your brother everything

1 for this, but secondary write in >Cut that out Stheno, I told your brother evertthing already. Now calm down and tell me what happened , is close enough so I'll count it.

Writing.

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>>4177109

"No need" you swiftly replied, earning Stheno's astonished attention, "I've already told your brother everything. Now calm down and tell me what's happened?"

"She doesn't have to answer anything" Beowulf interjected, rising to meet your eyes, "last I checked, you were talking to me, Erick. Now-"

"No, it's fine" Stheno interrupted, lifting herself up from the floor, "I trust him enough to not try anything stupid. To answer your question, I only remember an explosion at our front door and then fire taking hold of our apartment."

"I see", you responded, your voice's tone looming with sympathy, "I won't ask further because we may be spared for time, but know that no one here is going to harm you."

"Your brother can fill you in on what's going on" you continued, and pointed to Dante's poster on the wall, "but we have been here before. Please listen to what we say, and your chances of getting out alive will improve."

"Get out alive?" Beowulf asked, squinting his eyes at you, "you saying everyone here's in danger then? You mentioned it's a death game or whatever, but what the hell does that even mean?"

"Just read the poster dude" Chris interjected, earning a glare from Beowulf, "hey, Erick's trying to make things easier on you guys. Honestly, I'm sick of dealing with ungrateful pricks coming in here anyway-"

His words were stopped as an unseen force slammed Chris to the side wall, painfully pinning him there like a collided vehicle.

"I don't remember talking to you" Beowulf spat out, lifting up his hand, "see if you say that shit to my face again, prick-"

Dante's reaction time was quick, as he trained his rifle on Beowulf and was preparing to fire, but was stopped by a similar unseen force slamming him to the side wall. Shouts of panic erupted from the others, and Paula followed to reach for a weapon herself. That was when you felt it, a feeling akin to a wave of heat washing into your head, emanating straight from Beowulf. You were about to draw Tanjeet's pistol before Stheno was on him, attempting pulling him back.

"STOP IT!" Stheno screamed, legitimate terror lining her words, "YOU'RE NOT GOING TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING IF YOU DO THIS, CHI'EN! PLEASE, JUST STOP IT!"

Your pistol was trained on him at this point, along with some other members of the group. Stheno's embrace didn't seem to be having much of an effect, as you began feeling a tremble in the air and that wave of heat beginning to intensify. You didn't know what Beowulf was trying to do, but you weren't going to take the chance and placed your fingers on both triggers.

"They know what we are" Beowulf stated, coldness embracing his tone, "why should we let any of them live? You know what happens when people can see what we can do, or did you forget?"

"No one here is going to rat you out" you sternly reply, earning a look of contempt from him, "I don't know what happened to you before, but everyone here can more than keep a secret! Now, let them go!"

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>>4177213

>Stare him down, but don't fire
>Pull one of the triggers, but not the second
>Shoot him, but give him a countdown before you do so
>Write In

>>4177217
State him down

>>4177217

>Stare him down, but don't fire

>>4177217
>Write In

Engage in a contest of psychic force

>>4177262
>>4177308

>Stare him down, but don't fire

2 for this, writing

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>>4177347
"This is your last warning" you state, matching Beowulf's scornful glare, "PUT. THEM. DOWN."

The sheer fury in his eyes would have caused you to reel back had you met before you came to Gantz. Given everything and everyone you had dealt with in the past, it only caused you tense up rather than flinch back. Whatever kind of harmful or even mortal intent he had behind his actions, you knew that any further sudden movements would prompt him to act again. The seconds between your ultimatum stretched out like minutes as his hands began to slack back, but he ultimately blinked first.

He let out a grunt of frustration, or pain, as he let go of your two teammates, both of them coughing or gasping for breath on the ground while Paula and Tanjeet moved to aid them. For a moment, Beowulf looked like he was wobbling a bit as Stheno was still clutching onto home. He quickly regained his composure however and immediately looked straight to you while pushing his sister away.

"So we're trapped together then," he stated, trying to act non-chalant, "and what makes you think that we can't just break out here? We're NO ONE's hostages."

"Motherfucker" Kurtis spat, baring his teeth, "what hell makes you think you can just be chummy again after what you just pulle-"

"Shut your damn mouth Kurtis" you sternly command, earning a shocked look from Kurtis, "I think he's made himself more than clear that only wants to speak to me. As for your question, you're more than welcome to try, god knows we certainly did."

"Watch me then" he retorted, raising his hand to the porch doors.

The initial cold, swirling build-up centered around Beowulf like a small hurricane, and was then quickly released onto the doors. For his efforts, the doors let out a weak creak without an inch of glass even cracking. His eyes shot agape at this, and immediately you felt an even larger build up begin to surround him. For a moment, the light in the room flickered and the others shuddered slightly at the intake of psychic power this man was exerting. Then, with a thunderous boom, he released it with both hands towards the doors.

The results were almost the same, except now the creak was fully deafened by thunderous sound of his psychic attack. Beowulf let out a gasp, no doubt of exertion, as he nearly fell to his knees on the floor. Though Stheno was there to catch him, you could see that both of his nostrils were trickling with blood. You would have moved to help him, had he not raised up a hand to stop you.

"F-fine...I'll play along" he responded, still looking at the floor, "just...keep my sister safe. But don't think...I won't know if your...friends try something."

"Fair enough" you respond, and moving towards Stheno, "anyways, let's get rea-"

"Holy shit, Erick" Allie called out, motioning you to Gantz, "I think it's giving us a new target! It didn't even play the music."

Moving away from Stheno, you looked on towards the Gantz ball's screen and came across a horrifying image.

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>>4177483

>Write In

OOC: Last post for tonight, we'll come back later on tomorrow.

Sorry about inconsistent updates, been trying to work on art with drawfriends.

>>4177484
FUCK
WHAT DID YOU DO ULRICH?
THIS IS FUCKED UP GOD DAMN IT

>>4177484
I knew it was a new hunt, damn

shit, jjust be there for yukino, what the hell happened? can we bring him back after his death?
I was actually hoping he would come to the room with us eventually but it seems he is an alien

>>4177483
Wait what
Is he actually an alien or did he just learn something he shouldn't have?

>>4177521
well, if he is a professional killer who leaves his kid with a cop as a sitter it's kind of understandable that he would want to keep tabs on her, and if he did he might have seen some gruesome FBI minced meat and subsequent transportation of everyone involved

>>4177484

Fuck...this is our Tae Kojima mission isnt it?

>>4177521
>>4177548

Gantz doesn't normally go after people like this since it'll just chaos theory an accident and bring them to the room.

Either Yukino's dad was an alien all along or this is Gantz just fucking with the group in a seriously sadistic manner.

>>4177493
>>4177506
>>4177521
>>4177735
>Write In

Well, no one really wrote that much of an action for Erick, so I'll take what you guys wrote and try to make sense of it onto the update.

Writing.

>>4179469
Oh dang you rite
The pic was just so jarring I forgot all about the prompt

>PANIC

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>>4179469

'Mr...Palmer...?'

The heat drained from your face like a lidless bottle as the realization of who's picture was shown on Gantz had just revealed itself to you. You didn't wish to believe it, not only to deny the image itself but any implication surging right to your head as you continued to stare straight at it. It read like a sick joke, every line written on the description as well as the confused reactions of those nearby compared to your abject horror.

"Isn't that a person?" Luis remarked, a twinge of anger crawling in his voice as he turned to Dante, " didn't you say it was supposed to be aliens in here? I'm not going out there to kill people."

"Calm down officer" Chris chimed in, looking over to the ball, "it's probably another disguise like some of the roaches had. Not gonna look as human with that suit once it tears off its face and-"

His voice was interrupted by the Gantz ball opening abruptly and violently as always. Though there wasn't anyone near its sides, everyone flinched in surprise as the racks revealed themselves with the usual assortment of weaponry as well as the side door unlocking with metallic click. Chris only sighed in annoyance after this occurrence, yet even he let out a gasp of surprise as Gantz's laser shot out into the group.

"What the fuck?!" Kurtis shouted in surprise, as the ball's laser began transporting him away, "I didn't even get a chance to re-arm myself you piece of s-"

The laser cut off his trailing words as it reached below his lower jaw. Perhaps it was the shock of witnessing the night's target that prompted no words from your mouth, not even a panicked reaction like everyone in the room as Kurtis's body was quickly taken away.

"This isn't right" Dante stated, as the laser finished off Kurtis's legs, "it's supposed to wait for us to get ready or at least let us get a weapon before it does this shit!"

That would be as much as Dante would say, as the laser shot at him next. Not wasting anymore time, he quickly went to side room as everyone else either huddled around the ball's screen, followed him to the side room or went to the racks for more weapons.

"Wait, what the hell is going damnit?" Stheno asked, irritation building in her voice before Allie tossed her and her brother two of the suit's cases.

"Not time, just take these and put them on" she answered, earning a look of confusion from her, "just do it when you get to the other side! Your lives depend on-"

"Oh my god..." Paula's horror struck gasp cut through Allie's words, as she turned to push Yukino away from the ball, "Yukino, don't look at the screen. Please just stand back-"

It had dawned on you that you had been sitting on front of Gantz for a while now. Perhaps you could have stopped Yukino from looking. You'd never know, as your arms weren't responding to you as she stared straight at the screen.

"It's...my dad..."Yukino's stated in a shaking voice, "m-my dad...is the...target. How...why is he...on the Gantz screen...?"

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>>4179604

>Hold her, and tell her it will be OK
>Face everyone, don't let anyone take a gun
>Gantz, question or threaten it for the target <Write In>
>Write In

OOC: Let this be a first time for this happening, as if you don't actually answer a write in prompt I'll interpret it as Erick either standing by or standing in horror at something depending on context.

>>4179626
>Hold her, and tell her it will be OK

That interpretation is pretty accurate.

>>4179626
>Hold her, and tell her it will be OK

>>4179626
>>Face everyone, don't let anyone take a gun

gotta explain things to Yuki's dad before we start attacking

Hmm...we should brainstorm a solution for this.
We're psychic. We have two other, more experienced, psychics with us. Maybe when we get there we can see if wiping his memories of everything to do with this would work?

If it doesn't, then...I don't think we should shoot him to death, that'd be too traumatic for Yukino. If we have to kill him, I think we should psychically knock him out in the most painless possible way, and then induce death through a blood clot in the brain. Probably the least traumatic way for him to die from yukino's eyes - he'll be going out in his sleep, unaware.
Yeah, I'm thinking that if we MUST kill him, that should be the method we go for. As humane as possible.

>>4179626
>Face everyone, don't let anyone take a gun

Fuck this, we're not going to kill Yukino's father.

>>4179803
I think the previous hunt showed Gantz only cares about a complete extermination for a mission to he complete.

But...do we really know what's going to happen if we refuse to kill him? Even if there is a punishment, we cant do this to Yukino.

>>4180067
Eric has no clue what happens on a failed mission. For all he knows, it could trigger Gantz to kill the entire team for their refusal to cooperate.
I don't think it's a risk he would take. He promised to get everyone out of the game. It's a difficult choice, but between Yukino and the rest of the team or just Yukino's father, I think he would choose the team to be the ones to live.

A promise is a promise. We CANNOT compromise the entire team over one life.

>>4179769
I change my vote actually, if those lizards show up we will definitely need a gun, but we should tell the others to not shoot at Mr. Palmer. we should talk to him and explain what's happening. maybe he can explain somethings too

>>4180721
>Gantz, question or threaten it for the target <Write In>

Gant'z, that's a person you fucker, give us an alien to chase, what the fuck are you trying to pull here you bastard?

>>4179646
>>4179682

>Hold her, and tell her it will be OK

2 for this, writing.

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>>4181650

The inactivity in your body continued as Yukino's shaking words reached your ears and as the laser shot into the side room to take another person to the nights second hunting ground. Yet, it wasn't until you heard her whimper of panic that you finally moved to action. You imagined Yukino would have fallen in trying to back away from the ball and you wrapped your arms around her to simulate you catching her from a fall that never came.

"Yukino" you stated, holding her shaking body close, "it's going to be ok. I promise you, we'll be here for you, please just...don't look at it anymore."

"What did...he even...do...?" she added, before Gantz laser began teleporting her, "No! Erick, p-please don't let-"

That was all she could say before her mouth disappeared from your sight as the laser continued its process. You didn't care, as you held dearly onto Yukino's body even as the laser cut around your embrace and seemed to almost take you with it as well. Eventually, you fell through as the rest of her body disappeared and then sat staring where she had just been. Lifting your head up, you arrived at the both horrified and saddened looks of the others.

"Is it really asking us to kill a regular person...?" Chris spoke, his eyes having grown wide in panic, "there's no way, right...? Erick, is what Yukino said-"

"It's true Chris!" Paula shot back, failing to hold back anger and sadness in her voice, "that was Yukino's dad and as far as I am concerned, I am never going to be forced into killing anyone else again!"

"I thought no one here had a choice?" Beowulf interjected, earning a glare from Paula, "Isn't that what you people described with this whole death game? If your life is on the line, then there's nothing wrong with killing anyone."

Paula looked ready to retort, yet the was interrupted by the laser shooting out to her head. She only bared her teeth and glared fiercely at him, before her features were teleported away by the ball's laser. As the laser continued to cut away at Paula, you took a stand and took another look straight at the ball's screen. As soon as you did, it cut away to a new graphic, displaying a timer counting down.

<00:34:52>

'It's not supposed to be like this...' you brooed, 'it's not supposed to start until we're all there...'

"Erick!" Allie's voice snapped you out of the stupor again, as her sympathetic expression betrayed her serious tone, "you have to get ready. Even if it's some mistake, it'll be dangerous if-"

Gantz's laser had once again trespassed on a conversation, as it began to take her away from the room. It had been enough of a wake up call, as you shifted away from the aftershocks of the realization. You knew what was about to take place, yet you had no idea of what could occur in it. Flying blind into something like this could cost you and everyone else more than just their lives.

"Erick?" Stheno asked, as you clenched your fists, "what are you going to do?"

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>>4182076

>Loyalty, take another X-Gun and make sure no one touches Ulrich Palmer
>Duty, take an X-Rifle and make sure the mission ends
>Possibility, take a Y-Gun and figure out a way out of this situation
>Write In

>Possibility, take a Y-Gun and figure out a way out of this situation

HOPE

>>4182249
Ditto

>>4182097
>Possibility, take a Y-Gun and figure out a way out of this situation

>>4182097
>>Loyalty, take another X-Gun and make sure no one touches Ulrich Palmer

>>4182903
wait do we already have a Y gun? we might need it for the net to keep the others from attacking palmer

>>4182249
>>4182570
>>4182528

>Possibility, take a Y-Gun and figure out a way out of this situation

3 for this, writing.

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>>4184140

'Is there really, no way out?' you pondered in your head, before resolve finally took over, ' Even if there isn't, I'm not going to let it just...play out like this.'

Whatever hints of panic remained in your mind were shaken off as you let out a sharp breath of hot air. Your hands weren't shaking anymore, as your fists were released to open palms reaching out for Gantz's weapon compartments. A growing heat had begun forming in your head, as you began preparing yourself what was to come. Taking a few steps forwards to grab the closest net gun, you turned your head to answer Stheno.

"I'm going to find a way out of this."

Conviction rang in your voice, even as Gantz's familiar whirr rang out behind you and Stheno and her brother looked at you with a degree of concern and intrigue. There wasn't much else to look at as Gantz's laser took your eyes out of the room. You swore you had heard Stheno speak one final word to you before your ears had gone as well.

<00:33:49>

The sight before you, as the first parts of your body materialized, was the dark night sky and the glowing lights of a dozen cars moving before you. The cobbled path beneath you, the grassy sections to your sides and the curved pavement beyond more than confirmed this place to be another one of DC's annoying roundabouts. It almost made you blink for a moment to catch up with the amount of movement still occurring, as the amount of cars moving at this time of night was surprising.

"Odd number of commuters" you thought out loud, and looking around for anyone you knew nearby, "must have been a really bad delay or closure somewhere. Damnit, where the hell is everyone?"

Save for the cars passing by and some homeless people strewn about in their makeshift bedding, you didn't catch sight anyone else nearby. The change of proximity to your group drew a chill to your spine, as Gantz had always at least put some members nearby for a mission. Hopefully, this was only the case with you and the others were safely within reach of each other. As your feet finalized materializing, you began making your way down to K Street.

"At least Bader Condominium isn't too far way" you spoke, heading towards the pavement, "god...I hope Yukino's alright as we-...no, they don't know!"

The sudden realization upon thinking of Yukino had brought your head to a dangerous new thought. Neither Dante, Kurtis nor whoever else went into the side room knew who the target really was. You could only hope that the others were nearby enough to tell them, assuming they weren't already at the apartment to begin with. The many conclusions your mind rushed towards only caused you hasten your step towards the complex and almost ran straight into traffic.

A short step halted your advance short of the curb. You trusted the suit could take a car's impact, yet you weren't going to take the chance. You would need your suit, as there were only so many ways you could effectively make your way to the apartments.

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>>4184274

>Street, head down the sidewalks and run towards the apartments
>Roof, make your way to the rooftops and make your way to the condos
>Alleys, side step the bustle and find a less the crowded route to the condos
>Write In

>>4184281
>Alleys, side step the bustle and find a less the crowded route to the condos

>>4184281
>Roof, make your way to the rooftops and make your way to the condos

We can track "allies" with radar, right?

>>4184281
Streets

>>4184281
>Roof, make your way to the rooftops and make your way to the condos

Get a good vantage point for spotting.

>>4184530
Does Erick even have a radar?

>>4184281
>Roof, make your way to the rooftops and make your way to the condos

>>4184950
no, but Paula does

Look for her while we are up there

>>4184530
>>4184950
>>4184954

>Roof, make your way to the rooftops and make your way to the condos

3 for this, writing.

OOC: Sorry about the late reply.

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>>4185097

Speed and efficiency were key in making it to the target, yet it wouldn't could for anything without an innate advantage. Your eyes darted towards the highest angle of elevation available, those being the rooftops of the overlooking buildings. At about five, or ten stories high for some of the larger complexes, they would be a challenge to climb up, but would serve as an excellent means of moving without dealing with running people or objects over.

It was only a matter of finding a good climbing spot. Even with your suit's powerful enhancements to your body, even it couldn't let you jump several stories in the sky. A quick scan along the surrounding buildings revealed the perfect starting location. Near one of the crossing intersections, you spotted a large brick building with domed tops that made it resemble a castle before you read a sign in front of it.

"Orbach Orthodontics" you stated, making your way towards the building, "well, at least you made it low enough to the ground."

There was no stop in your pace as you ran down the sides of the roundabout, letting your suit start picking up on your momentum as you made your way to the curb. As your foot touched the very edge, you let out a grunt of effort as you drew upon the suit's energy towards your legs. There was a sharp swirl of wind around you as your running leap took you across the street, the cars unknowingly moving a few feet below you.

The feeling of freedom was refreshing to you, as you descended more than thirty feet from your initial starting point. There was not a moment of slowdown however as you reached your landing point with a tap of your feet. You kept moving forward with a running gait, and took another leap forward, this time up towards the closest window ledge of the large structure.

"Let's see if I remember how to do this."

>Roll 1d20 + 3 (AGR, Suit: Master) (-3 DC from MOV, SPINE)

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4185113
let's see if we can fall over a moving vehicle

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4185113

Rolled 18 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>4185113

>>4185157
>>4185341
>>4185352

>19 + 3

Writing.

OOC: Don't scare me like that guys, thought I'd have to stop posting on no rolls today.

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>>4185524
<GREAT SUCCESS>

As your hand reached the ledge, a familiar feeling entered your head and your veins. It was like a hot sting on your breath, a scalding tinge on your tongue that seeped to your arms and then to your legs as you impulsed yourself to the ledge. With sheer upper body strength, you lifted and then lept up from the ledge with such for you heard the concrete cracking. Air whipped around your head, as you managed to raise straight to the top.

You smiled for a moment at your renewed strength, and then quickly focused in on the next building. It stood more than 20 feet higher and was about 100 feet away, yet you were about to close the distance in moments as you took to a run. You'd sprinted before on your runs, reaching this kind of distance in about 30 seconds. With the suit, you swore it wasn't more than 10 before you dashed to the building's edge and took another running leap to the other building's closest ledge.

The bright light of the cars on the road below were almost hailing your distance, as you grasped the next ledge with a light crack. You had nearly slammed into the next building, halted only by the ledge you now took a grasp on. Once again, you impulsed yourself to the top, quickly moving higher with your enhanced strength. A twinge of worry perked in your head of waking someone up, yet it was immediately broken as you reached the top.

The lights of the city, more the streets below than the buildings themselves, illuminated the nighttime atmosphere. Yet in spite of the homely look of your surroundings, it was instead the odd blue light beyond the next building that caused your eyes and body to move forward. It was moving, yet not as quickly as you, towards the ledge of at the end of the building you were on. As you approached closer, you finally got a clear look at it as it leap towards another rooftop.

'It's Paula' you surmised from the shape of her moving body and tied bun of hair, 'no one else nearby though. Damnit, I need to get closer regardless.'

The thought sailed from your head as you increased your running speed as you neared the edge of the roof. Planting a heavy step to impulse your body up and forward, you leapt once again across the air. The landing this time was much swifter to recover from, as you kept your running speed after your descent. This was fast enough thankfully, to get within possible earshot of Paula.

"HEY!" you called out, earning a sideways glance from her but not an inch of slowdown, "WHERE ARE THE OTHERS?! DID YOU DETECT ANYTHING ON THE SCANNER?!"

"NOTHING!" she shouted back, and waving her radar arm, "ONLY ONE SIGNATURE IN THE APARTMENT! NO ONE ELSE CAME WITH ME!"

Her words had confirmed your worst suspicions, yet you didn't slow down in spite of the anxious feeling in your stomach. As Paula approached the building's edge, you could only guess where the others may have ended up. The question of whether or not they would join your search for a way out, lingered in your head.

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>>4185714
>Guard, stand watch near Mr. Palmer's porch
>Wait, stay at the rooftops and wait for the others to arrive
>Entry, enter the apartment and try to explain the situation to Mr. Palmer
>Write In

OOC: Forgot to mention this, you're about 1 building away from the Bader Condominium after you reach the one jump.

>>4185720

>Entry, enter the apartment and try to explain the situation to Mr. Palmer

>>4185720
>Wait, stay at the rooftops and wait for the others to arrive

>>4185720

>Wait

>>4185720

>Entry, enter the apartment and try to explain the situation to Mr. Palmer

Get in there and talk with whoever is inside, it could be yukino for all we know.

And we don't know how the others will react or if they will come together, if we miss one they might attack Palmer

>>4186821
I think Paula meant there was one enemy signature inside the apartment, representing Mr. Palmer. We're the first ones here.

>>4187363
One mpre reason to talk to him without everypne else so he doesn't panic.....he may panic either way but at least the others won't take rash action

>>4187820
1. We can't explain things to him or Gantz kills us with brain bombs.

2. I don't see how us being there prevents others from taking rash action. A good chunk of people here barely even know us, and those that do already wouldn't.

>>4185782
>>4186821

2 for Entry

>>4185807
>>4186474

2 for Wait

We'll wait until this tie breaks. I'll get to writing right away.

>>4185720
>Entry, enter the apartment and try to explain the situation to Mr. Palmer

>>4188065
>>4186821
>>4185782

You guys know that Gantz *will* explode our heads if we tell him, right?

>>4188114
>When he's the hunt target
I think not

>>4188229

Fine, fuck us over

>>4188502
Do you seriously think that the QM would, on a MAIN choice (not a write-in), have an option that would instakill us like that?
Fuck off, nigger.

>>4188114

wait, why would he explode? we are on a hunt, we will be using our weapons around an no one else can see or hear us, if he would explode our heads for talking he would explode our heads for shooting too wouldn't he?

>>4188531

I bet you’re one of the faggots who votes to bank the crit fails

>>4188065

>Entry, enter the apartment and try to explain the situation to Mr. Palmer

Tiebreaker set. Writing.

OOC: Sorry for the lack up updates, might be late on this one as well but I will count this.

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>>4190156

OOC: To everyone that is following this quest, I am going to be putting a halt on this for a few months as a result of a work issue as well as more time for me to plan out further updates. Do not worry as I will retain your prior choice on the update for the coming session.

It's not fair for you all that updates slowed to a crawl over the last few months, so I will take the time to plan out for the quest ahead. I'll keep updates still on the /qst/ discord on when the quest is going to come back.

Sorry about the sudden halt and thank you for the support.

>>4192147
Post on the twitter when you're gonna come back.
Because fuck /QTG/

>>4192147
no worries, good luck out there and I hope we can play again soon

>>4192147
>I will take the time to plan out for the quest ahead.
>plan out for the quest ahead.

Sounds like a railroad sempai. But we are used to that by now at least. Oh well...