The Extra-dimensional Pioneer Of Fiction [Draft]

The sound of a gunshot rang through the tense air, sharp and unmistakable.

Arlo's breathing hitched, his body flinched, his Danger Intuition sending a faint, prickling sensation down his spine. He tightened his grip on the shotgun, his mind racing.The sound hadn't come from the house. It came from upstair, That shot wasn't random.

He crept closer to the outside the kitchen and peeked through the door, but the darkness outside gave nothing away.

They've got Dante, Arlo thought grimly.

His stomach churned at the implications. The James and Mary had caught him, which meant it wouldn't be long before the Purgers came for the house. His thoughts flickered to the movie, playing out the events as if they were inevitable.

This is the part where James tries to reason with them, he thought bitterly.

The memory from the movie flickered in his mind, James Sadin ;s dutile pleas, the purger's extreme demand, the inevitability of the bloodshed. But this wasn't a screen anymore. This was real. And Dante... Dante wasn't just a character. He was a breathing living human being.

He exhaled slowly, stepping away from the door. Arlo knew the stakes were high, but the unfolding scenario felt even heavier now.

In the movie, James had been torn between protecting his family and sacrificing an innocent man. And just as Dante had done in the movie, Arlo could imagine him calmly suggesting they hand him over—despite the obvious consequences.

"Negotiating with purgers," Arlo muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "That's like trying to get a decent refund on a Steam sale. Pointless."

.....

The faint sound of heavy boots in the hallway yanked him from his thoughts. Arlo's body tensed as he turned toward the staircase. If the Sandins weren't already aware of the imminent danger, they needed to be. Now.

He moved swiftly, reaching the foot of the stairs just as James and Mary emerged from the hall, both armed. Mary's face was pale but resolved, her hands gripping a pistol tightly. James, however, had his weapon raised the moment he saw Arlo.

Arlo instinctively lowered his shotgun and raised a free hand. "Whoa. I'm not your enemy."

Mary's eyes darted between Arlo and James. "He put his gun down, James," she murmured. "At least hear him out."James didn't lower his aim. His voice was a measured growl. "Start talking."

Arlo kept his tone steady but urgent. "We came here looking for shelter. Now, we're all in the same boat."

James hesitated, then slowly lowered his pistol. The suspicion didn't leave his eyes. "Why should we trust you?"

Arlo exhaled sharply. "Because you don't have a choice." He turned back toward the window, gesturing outside. "They're not just here for the Black guy with me. But also they're coming for everyone in this house. And if we don't work together, we're all dead by morning."

James clenched his jaw, casting a glance at Mary, who gave a reluctant nod. His shoulders eased slightly, though the wariness remained. "Alright. But if you try anything—"

"Got it, you'll going to kill me" Arlo cut in. "Now let's focus on not dying together."

Before another word could be exchanged, a voice smooth, polite, and dripping with menace rang through the night. "Time's up, Mr. Sandin."

Arlo's Danger Intuition spiked. He turned back to the video monitor just in time to see a man in a crisp suit and eerily serene mask standing at the head of the pack. The leader. The mastermind behind the siege. His voice was warm, almost cordial.

"You didn't give us what we asked for," he continued, "so now, we'll take it ourselves. No hard feelings, of course."

The sound of chains rattling sent a chill down Arlo's spine. His eyes widened as he spotted the purgers hooking the reinforced metal doors to a truck.

"They're going to rip the walls down," he murmured.

Mary inhaled sharply. "What do we do?"

James tightened his grip on his pistol, his expression hardening. "We fight."

Arlo nodded, adjusting his hold on the shotgun. "Then I'll give them something else to focus on, you hold them inside, I'll head out and pick a fight to draw some of them away."

James blinked. "You're going out there?, That's suicide"

"Yeah. They won't expect an attack from the outside. If I can distract them, it'll thin their numbers and buy you time." Arlo replied

Mary hesitated before stepping forward. "If you're doing this… thank you."

Arlo sighed. "It's kinda are fault anyway, so helping you guys is a way for my gratitude for sheltering us."

Without another word, he slipped into the shadows.

"Aria's advice to not be a hero and here I'm being a hero" Arlo though sarcastically.

==================================================

[Sandin's House: Backyard]

The night air was cold against his skin as Arlo landed lightly on the damp grass, his boots making barely a sound. His Danger Intuition hummed, a warning whisper at the back of his mind. The purgers were close. He crouched behind a hedgerow, counting the shadows six, mabye seven, circling the house.

A lone figure paced near the backyard, humming tunelessly, a crowbar dangling loosely from his fingers. The mask he wore—eerily cheerful—gleamed under the moonlight. No guns. Too loud.

Arlo smirked. Time to play assassin.

He moved like a shadow, closing the gap in three strides. When he was close enough, he lunged. His arm wrapped around the purger's throat in a tight headlock. The man thrashed, gurgling, but Arlo held firm until the struggling stop. He eased the body to the ground, exhaling through his nose.

[Suffocation - Damage: 67]

[EXP Gained: +5]

As the purger's body went limp, Arlo gently lowered him to the ground, his chest heaving. He wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing down at the lifeless figure. His stomach churned slightly. Headlocks always looked so cool in movies and video games. In reality? Not so much.

The weight of taking a life hit him, but he pushed it aside. There was no room for hesitation tonight. The faint click of a pistol's hammer being pulled back snapped him to attention.

He turned sharply to see a female purger aiming a handgun at him, her mask adorned with gaudy, glittery swirls. "Gotcha," she sneered, pulling the trigger.

Arlo lunged sideways as the gunshot rang out. the bullet grazed his shoulder, searing flesh.

[Damage Taken: -5]

[HP: 105/120]

Arlo instinctively yanked the dead man's body in front of him, the bullet slamming into the corpse with a dull thud. Without hesitating, he raised his shotgun and fired.

The blast sent her stumbling back, but she managed to stay upright. 

[Damage: 31]

Arlo pumped the shotgun and fired again. The second shot hit her square in the chest, sending her crashing to the ground.

[Damage: 35]

[EXP Gained: +5]

He exhaled sharply, his nerves buzzing with adrenaline.

Before he could regain his composure, his Danger intuition flared intensely. Another purger emerged from the shadows, charging at him with a machete.

Arlo sidestepped, the blade whipping past his ribs. then he raised his shotgun and fired, the shot grazing the man's arm.

[Damage: 20]

The purger roared in pain but didn't slow. Arlo steadied his aim and fired again, the buckshot tearing into the man's chest. He collapsed to the ground with a groan, blood pooling beneath him.

[Damage: 30]

[EXP Gained: +5]

A sudden, sharp pain erupted at the base of Arlo's neck, sending him stumbling forward. He turned to see another purger, a bulky figure wielding a bloodstained bat.

[Damage Taken: -15 HP]

[HP: 90/120]

Arlo dropped the shotgun, his hands instinctively going up to block another swing. As the bat came down, he caught it mid-swing and yanked it from the purger's grip. Without missing a beat, he swung the bat, the wooden weapon connecting with the purger's head with a sickening crack.

[Critical Damage: 20]

The purger staggered, but Arlo didn't let up. He swung again, the bat smashing into the man's skull repeatedly until he collapsed in a heap.

[Damage: 10]

[Critical Damage: 20]

[EXP Gained: +5]

Panting, Arlo tossed the bat aside and retrieved his shotgun. His hands trembled slightly as he reloaded his shotgun, the gravity of the moment pressing down on him. How the fuck does his danger intuition did not warn this guy approaching, guess it was not powerful yet, I really need to the digest the seer potion.

With one final glance at the bodies around him, he slipped back into the shadows, ready for whatever came next.

.......

Arlo wiped his palms against his coat before gripping the shotgun tighter. His muscles ached, but adrenaline pushed him forward. He stepped cautiously around the corner of the front yard of the house, where the purgers gathered near the front of the pourch. The group was armed and organized—too organized for his liking. 

"Time to give these guys a wake-up call," Arlo muttered, taking cover behind the porch railing. He steadied the shotgun, his Danger Intuition humming like a live wire.

The first shot rang out, loud and brutal, catching one purger in the shoulder.

[Damage: 26]

The man spun before collapsing, clutching the wound with a guttural scream. Arlo pumped the shotgun, the action smooth and instinctive, and fired again.

[Damage: 35]

[EXP Gained: +5]

The blast hit another purger square in the chest, throwing him backward into the dirt. The group scattered, shouting orders as they turned their attention to Arlo. Bullets peppered the side of the house, splintering wood and sending shards flying.

"Great, now I've got their attention," Arlo muttered, ducking as a round zipped past his head. He peeked out, firing again. The shot went wide, but the scattering purgers dove for cover anyway.

Two purgers returned fire, their bullets slamming into the railing. Arlo pressed his back against the wall, reloading quickly. He leaned out just far enough to take another shot, hitting one purger in the leg.

[Damage: 22]

The man dropped, writhing in pain, and Arlo wasted no time. He adjusted his aim and pulled the trigger again, the buckshot shredding through the purger's torso.

[Damage: 30]

[EXP Gained: +5]

The chaos continued, gunfire and shouts filling the air.

Arlo's position at the corner gave him decent cover, but it was only a matter of time before the purgers tried to flank him. He took down another purger with a clean shot to the head.

[Headshot - Critical Damage 50]

[EXP Gained: +5]

The shotgun clicked as he pulled the trigger again, empty.

"Of course," Arlo groaned, tossing it aside.

His hands moved instinctively to his coat, pulling out the Pit Viper. He checked the magazine—a full clip. "Alright, let's keep this party going."

The smaller weapon gave him better maneuverability as he shifted positions. The Pit Viper barked with precision, taking out another purger hiding behind a car. The man fell, his rifle clattering to the ground.

[Pit Viper Effect Activated - Critical Damage: 60]

[EXP Gained: +5] Arlo ducked as a burst of automatic fire tore through the porch railing, sending splinters raining down.

They're trying to pin me down, he thought. But their numbers were thinning, and their desperation was showing. He fired again, hitting one purger in the arm and forcing them to retreat behind a tree.

The distraction worked—several purgers abandoned their positions near the house to focus on Arlo instead.

Inside the house, muffled gunfire and shouting erupted, pulling Arlo's attention. His Danger Intuition flared, a sharp warning that left no room for hesitation.

They're inside, He thought.

Arlo fired one last shot toward the purgers outside, forcing them to stay pinned. Then, with a quick glance to ensure the area was clear, he slipped back toward the rear of the house. His heart pounded as he prepared to face whatever chaos awaited inside.

 =================================================

Arlo entered the Sandin house through the broken window, his shoes crunching softly against shattered glass. The air inside was thick with tension, carrying the muffled echoes of distant struggles and gunfire.

His Danger Intuition flickered, keeping him alert.Then Arlo turned- just as a purger;s knife slashed his forearm.

[Damage Taken: -12 HP]

[HP: 78/120]

He fired blindly, the bullet finding the purger's throat.

[Critical Damage : 45]

[EXP Gained: +5]

Sprinting for the house, Arlo barely registered the pain. The hall ways are riddled with bullets, broken furniture, and glass broke.

He knew exactly where he needed to go: the game room.

Arlo remembered something about James. James… If this plays out like the movie, then…

Arlo tightened his grip on the Pit Viper, his mind racing. The memory of the polite leader stabbing James was seared into his thoughts.

No way I'm letting that smug lunatic walk away this time. He moved with careful precision, his steps soft and deliberate. The game room door was slightly ajar, and the faint sound of labored breathing reached his ears.

Arlo's heart sank. Damn it, I'm too late.

Pushing the door open, the scene before him confirmed his fears. James was slumped against the wall, clutching a bleeding wound in his stomach. The polite leader stood over him, a knife gleaming in his hand, his face twisted in that same eerie, calm smile.

"End of the line, Mr. Sandin," the leader said with a faux-gentle tone.

"Hey, American Psycho!" Arlo barked, raising the Pit Viper.

The polite leader barely had time to turn before Arlo pulled the trigger.

The first shot slammed into the leader's back, staggering him. Arlo fired again, and again, each pull of the trigger fueled by a mix of adrenaline and anger.

[Damage: 22]

[Damage: 15]

[Damage: 14]

[Pit Viper Effect Activated - Damage: 30]

[EXP Gained: 30]

The leader collapsed face-first onto the floor, blood pooling around him. Arlo didn't spare him a second glance, rushing to James's side. The man's breathing was shallow, and his face had gone pale. 

"Stay with me," Arlo said, kneeling next to him. His hands worked quickly as he activated [Observe], the interface flickering to life.

James Sandin

LV: 5

HP: 10/60

Status Effect: Massive Bleeding - 5 HP lost per minute

Warning: Immediate Healing Needed

"Not good," Arlo muttered, fumbling with his inventory. His fingers closed around the vial of a Low health potion. Uncorking it, he gently tilted James's head back.

"Drink this. It's not much, but it'll help." James's throat bobbed as the liquid slid down. The effect was almost immediate—the flow of blood slowed, and the edges of the wound began to close slightly. However, James remained unconscious.

"Come on, man, wake up," Arlo muttered, glancing nervously at the door. The sounds of the ongoing battle outside were growing louder. "No time for a nap." 

Realizing James wouldn't be moving on his own anytime soon, Arlo gritted his teeth and dragged the man to a corner of the room, propping him behind an overturned table.

"Stay put," Arlo said, grabbing James's pistol from the floor and tucking it into his belt. "I'll take care of the rest."

Arlo ascended the stairs to the second floor, his senses on high alert. The sound of hurried footsteps drew his attention, and he ducked into the shadows of the hallway. A purger appeared, a man with a polite mask and a machete.

Without hesitation, Arlo stepped out and fired, the bullet hitting the purger in the chest.

[Damage: 30]

The man stumbled back, dropping his weapon, and Arlo finished him off with a second shot.

[Damage: 25]

[EXP Gained: 5]

The commotion drew another purger from one of the bedrooms, this one armed with a shotgun.

The man fired wildly, the pellets tearing into the wall behind Arlo. He ducked into a room, using the doorframe as cover.

"You're gonna regret that," Arlo muttered, leaning out just enough to fire. His shot struck the purger in the leg, and the man collapsed with a howl.

[Damage: 28]

Arlo closed the distance quickly, firing again at point-blank range.

[Damage: 28]

[EXP Gained: 5]

The second floor fell silent for a moment, save for the pounding of Arlo's heart. He reloaded the Pit Viper and moved cautiously from room to room, ensuring no more purgers were hiding. His Danger Intuition dulled slightly, signaling that the immediate threat upstairs had been neutralized.

But downstairs, the chaos continued. Arlo paused at the top of the stairs, listening to the muffled voices and the occasional gunshot.

He wiped sweat from his brow and took a steadying breath. Time to finish this.

Arlo descended, ready to face whatever awaited below. 

=================================================

Arlo was halfway down the staircase when the piercing scream of a woman echoed through the house. His breath caught as recognition struck. Mary. His pace quickened, the Pit Viper steady in his hands. The shouting grew louder as he approached the living room, punctuated by Zoey and Charlie's frantic cries.

Peering around the corner, Arlo took in the grim scene. The Sandin's were bound, their hands taped behind their backs, and their neighbors stood over them, armed and grim-faced.

Mary's neighbors, the same ones who had smiled at her in the daylight, now held her family hostage.

Dante caught Arlo's eye from his hiding spot behind a cabinet. His sharp nod was all the signal Arlo needed. Time to crash this little reunion.

Sliding down the banister, Arlo landed with a thud, his gun aimed.

"Surprise Motherfucker!" he barked.

Dante sprang into action, grabbing one of the neighbors and using her as a human shield. He fired a clean shot, taking down another neighbor who tried to aim at him. The room erupted into chaos as the remaining neighbors turned their attention to the two men.

Arlo grabbed the nearest person—a black woman who had been holding a knife to Mary's neck—and wrenched her backward, pressing the Pit Viper to her temple.

"Drop it!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the noise.

The neighbors froze, their weapons trembling in their hands. One of them, a wiry man holding a shotgun, growled, "Let her go!"

Arlo smirked faintly. "You're in no position to make demands." With a calculated shove, he released the woman, pushing her toward the group. "Take her. I'm done playing nice."

As the neighbors scrambled to regroup, Arlo moved swiftly, cutting through the tape binding Mary, Charlie, and Zoey.

"You three okay?" he asked, his eyes darting toward the neighbors.Mary nodded, her face a mix of relief and fury.

"We're fine," she said, pulling her children into a tight embrace.

Dante stepped closer, his gun still trained on the group. "What do we do with them?, it's your call" His tone was cold, but there was an edge of weariness to it.

Mary's gaze hardened as she stared at her former neighbors. Her jaw tightened, but after a long moment, she sighed.

"Too many people have already died tonight," she said firmly. "Let them live—with their guilt."

The neighbors were corralled into a corner, their weapons kicked away. The tension in the room hung thick as everyone caught their breath. Arlo lowered his weapon slightly, though his eyes never left the group.

A shuffling sound drew everyone's attention to the staircase. James appeared, pale and unsteady but upright. He leaned heavily on the banister, his steps slow as he descended.

"James!" Mary rushed to his side, tears welling in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close as Charlie and Zoey joined in the embrace.

Arlo watched from the edge of the room, the Pit Viper still in his hand. He allowed himself a small, tired smile. At least they made it through.

....

[Sadin's House: Kitchen]

The Sandins moved to the kitchen, sitting together at the table as the minutes ticked by. The distant wail of a siren signaled that the Purge was nearing its end. The atmosphere eased slightly, but the weight of the night's horrors lingered.

Arlo by Mary's side remember a scene in the movie and he recognized this blond woman in front of him. He called that this was Grace's, one the neighbor's.

Suddenly, Grace lunged forward, grabbing a shotgun from the counter. Her scream was raw and desperate as she pointed it at Mary.

Mary reacted without hesitation, slamming the butt of her shotgun into Grace's face and pinning her to the table.

"Enough!" she shouted, her voice trembling with anger. "We're done with this!"

Arlo though of what Mary did. Damn girl!, you just smacked another girls face.

The room fell silent again, broken only by Grace's ragged breathing and the distant sound of the siren fading into the dawn.

Arlo leaned against the wall, exhaustion washing over him. The Purge is over—for now.