36Happy new year my guys, this is Forzarismo with a new fic for you all to enjoy. Honestly this fic came into fruition after a friend in a Discord Server asked me a what if question of what if Faust was female instead?
And so, about five days later, here we are.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this fic and that you will stay for what is to come!
Chapter 1: Rootin' Tootin' & Shootin'
Man… of all the places I could land, why would it be in the middle of a damn blizzard! And in right after the sun has already set!?
Warning! Prolonged exposure to the elements is slowly draining your Health and Stamina! {Hypothermia Stage II} Debuff will be placed in-
Yes! I get it already! You have already told me this for the fifth time!
It's not like you yourself has placed me on this icy hellscape with nothing but the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet!
You couldn't have given me any clothes made for this climate!? Who in the hell wears dull brown pants and tunic in the middle of the winter!?
You should've asked when you landed-
I landed on a freaking tree headfirst! You literally showed I have a {Dazed} debuff, that still is ongoing! How was I supposed to think straight with that debilitating me!? And why can't you give me a set now!?
Too late to ask.
Taking in a deep breath, I calm down slightly. I can't let my emotions get the better of me. Just think positive thoughts. My sacrifice has no doubt given my family the opportunity to escape with their lives, so at least there's that to be thankful for.
Just gotta keep a positive mind, eventually something good must come up from all this bad. Just gotta have faith.
Didn't your faith break when you-?
I am human, it happens to even the best of us.
I am not going to even think of that moment.
Pulling my arms within my sleeves to keep myself as warm as possible, I catch a glimpse of a building far in the distance just beyond the hill, and from they very hazy, yet soft glow coming from it I can tell that there are people there that can offer me help!
I may not be able to offer much in terms of monetary value, but I can at least help when it comes to housework and manual labor.
…You do know that you have a hundred dollars in your pocket right?
What!?
Quickly checkin my pocket, it turns out the game was right. I had two twenty dollar bills, three ten dollar bills, four five dollar bills, and ten one dollar bills!
Now that is most certainly something I can work with!
Running through the rough snow as best I can, I look at the countdown on the top right corner of my sight and see I only have five minutes left before {Hypothermia Stage II} kicks in.
And I don't want to know if there is a Stage III.
But, as life always is, there's always things that pop up that just like to ruin your day.
For instance, an uneven rock hidden within the snow that made me trip and fall face first.
Now that wouldn't necessarily be that bad of a problem…
If I hadn't landed on horseshit.
I had felt my face touch it for only a second, but that is still a second too much, and I throw myself off of it and start grabbing untouched snow to clean my face.
And like with the rock, this came with its own sort of problems.
Due to deliberate prolonged contact with snow, you have now developed {Hypothermia Stage II}! Prolonged exposure to the elements is slowly draining your Health and Stamina! {Hypothermia Stage III} will be-
Gah! Will you stop with the notifications already!? I get it! I have horrible luck! You don't need to rub it in!
How in the hell does one have negative luck anyway!?
Man, whatever… I can bitch later when my ass isn't frozen.
With my ice-cold face now clean of whatever horse feces were stuck on it, I tread on towards the house, despite my stamina and health depleting at a faster rate than before.
When I have my chance, I'm buying as much clothes as possible!
Walking through the entrance of the ranch, I familiar smell of meat being cooked engulfs me with pleasant memories and a rumbling stomach.
All the more to get there as quick as I can! I literally can't be out her any longer or else I will truly die!
Felicia Herrera-Cortez, The Gamer, Lv. 1
Class: Horseman of War Lv. 1/100,000
Race: Human/? Hybrid
Alignment: Chaotic Good
HP: 67/210 [1% every second]
SP: 31/210 [1% every second]
MP: 180/180 (LOCKED)
EXP: 0/50
STR: 17(Tier 1)
END: 21(Tier 1)
DEX: 15(Tier 1)
INT: 18(Tier 1)
WIS: 8(Tier 1)
CHA: 19(Tier 1)
LCK: -2(Tier 1)
Currency: $100.00 USD
If this is how harmful Blizzards can be, I am so glad I never grew up in the states where this is commonplace!
Quickening my steps towards the door, I knock three times before stepping back, praying to God that they open the door quickly and let me in.
I only got two minutes before {Hypothermia Stage III} sets in!
The door opens and I am greeted by the sight of a woman pointing a rifle towards my face.
"Whoa! Please don't shoot!" I raise my hands instinctively, hoping that they don't see me as a threat. "I mean you all no harm. I have no where to go and I need a place to stay! I have money to pay for my stay if need be!"
"Why are you in so little clothing in a blizzard?" A familiar voice questions, looking around me as if she suspects something.
"Trust me, you wouldn't believe me even if I told you. And may you please let me in? I have been out here for too long and my fingers feel like they are going to fall off." I plead to her, and at this point I am not even lying as looking at my own hands I see that they have turned really pale.
"Sadie, don't you see that she is suffering? Let's let her in." A male voice from behind the woman named Sadie speaks-wait Sadie?
[Observe!]
Sadie Adler, Spunky Rancher, Lv. 6
Race: Human
Thoughts on you: Very wary of you, since you look really suspicious.
I look suspicious!? I'm fucking dying here and you think I'm suspicious!?
This is why I like Mary-Bell more than you!
Well, at least I know where I am at now.
Red Dead Redemption 2… such an awesome game. Such a compelling storyline and a cascade of likeable characters has cemented it as one of my most favorite games of all time.
If this is Sadie, then that means that the man behind her is her little Jackie.
Sadie looks pensive for a moment, before letting out a sigh and dropping her sights. "Alright, come on in, but no funny business ya hear!?"
Oh thank God! I didn't think they were gonna let me in at this point. Giving them a quick thank you I hurry my ass up and let myself in.
Oh man, the wave of warmth that hit me fealt like pure, blissful heaven. I get close to the fireplace and and let the heat do the work of warming me up.
"Ahem." I hear Jake fake cough, making me turn around and see that the two of them are staring at me.
"Oh! I'm sorry! Here you go!" I apologize, pulling a five dollar bill from my pocket, only to be stopped by Sadie, who places her hand over my shoulder.
"We don't need your money. Just… tell us what in the blazes were you doing all by yourself." Sadie states, no longer holding the rifle, instead having it rest by her side.
"Well… I'm from California originally. There were some bad things going on where I was from, stuff so bad we were forced to move from there. Things got… out of hand while heading to our destination. Long story short, I was forced to hold off some very bad people because if I didn't then my whole family would've suffered some really atrocious things. I actually thought I died, but found myself not too far from here. I've been walking looking for shelter and well… here we are." I explain to them, hoping they'll take it at face value.
The U.S. is still primitive when it comes to its Census, and since most of America is still scarcely populated compared to my time, it makes my story more believable.
There's no way I am going to tell them that I only know of them because of a video game and that I am from the future.
Like that would go well.
Thankfully though, that seemed to have convinced them. Hoepfylly they are not perturbed by a woman who is built bigger than either of them.
The average mexican is roughly five and half feet, and I clock at six feet four inches.
I am basically a giant for my race.
Heh, wonder what Javier's reaction would be to seeing me. It would definitely be quite the shock.
Honestly it must be a shock in general. I doubt there are many women out there who are my height at during these times.
"Well, you have our condolences for what you have been through. It must've been tough for you to be all by yourself, with no one to look out for you out there in these parts. It's a miracle you weren't killed or captured by some gang. Though, by what you have said it seems that you are much hardier than you look, and that's saying something." Jake's way of expressing regret does bring out a chuckle out of me, but the words he used did hurt more than I'd like to admit.
While I understand I likely may never see my family again, I am at least thankful that I am not in Satan's hands either. I will enjoy my time here to the fullest, and hopefully live long enough to find a solution to get back home, if that is even possible.
"Thanks for the hospitality you two. Now I don't want to be a bother to you both and just rest all the time. Is there anything I can do that needs helping?"
Turns out they did have stuff I could do while staying at their humble ranch.
From washing dishes to making lunch and dinner, these activities certainly saved them time and allowed them to do more leisurely things.
Especially when they sent me to tend to their two horses.
I know for a fact that they most certainly making love to one another while I feed and clean after their horses.
Man, I wish I had my own horse.
Huh… for some reason I felt something strange move within me when I thought that.
Eh, I'll think about it later, gotta get dressed.
During the first night I stayed with the Adlers, Sadie came up to me when her husband left to the outhouse and told me that she had some old clothes of hers that she doesn't use anymore that she can let me use for the time being, since the clothes I came with were pretty much soaked thoroughly.
Of course, I am not going to say no to such a thing, and led me to their bed, moving it to show that there was a hidden room below the bed. She took me there and told me to get changed there, just in case her husband came back faster than anticipated.
And while she expressed doubt that they would ever fit me considering our size difference, the system told me that I can fit into whatever clothing has been given to me.
Deciding to take its word for it, I put on this faded peach colored blouse and surprise surprise, it actually does fit.
The look in Sadie's face made it all the more funny.
And thankfully the style of the shirt helped hide the fact I am wearing no bra.
Shaking from her stupor, Sadie pulls out the rest of the clothes she got for me, one of which was this worn, but still warm-looking coat that will help in keeping me warm during these winter nights.
Soon enough I had my new outfit on. Sure, it's on the faded side, but I honestly don't care. It's warm and it's comfortable, and that is good enough for me.
Today, it is once again my turn to cook. I swear they have put me on cooking duty since the second day solely because my food and recipes are stuff they haven't tried before. Granted they do like what I make, so I am not complaining, but c'mon! I wanna try more of that old-school cooking!
Though, the looks of intrigue and joy they have when they eat my dishes keep me from complaining.
Quest Added!
[Savages From The East]
Objective: Kill the O'Driscolls. (0/10)
Reward: 200 EXP, $30.00 USD, Free Repeater Coupon.
Bonus Objective: Prevent them from killing either Sadie or Jake.
Hidden Objective: ?
What the-!?
A stern series of knocks echo from the door, both Jake and Sadie looking curiously at the door, no doubt wondering who it is.
But not me.
Taking the kitchen knife in my hands, I hide it behind myself discreetly, ready to stab the life out of the person behind that door.
Jake soon opens the door. "Hello-guh!?" The large bang of a gun going off strikes my ears, setting me into action. I sprint towards the short bastard who shot Jake and wrap my arm around his neck, taking him by surprise as I use my weight and size to my advantage and bring the bastard down.
Once we are down I thrust the knife into his neck with all my strength, seeing the large knife disappear into his neck, the result of which is him struggling only for a moment before he slackens.
+10 EXP!
Exponential Combat Improvement activated! Fallen enemy's stats and skills are now being allocated into yours!
Huh? I feel a sudden shift in my mind for a split second before it all goes to normal. Now's not the time for notifications game! I'm fighting for my life here!
"Sadie! Grab your gun!" I yell at her to go into action, but a quick glance shows me she is trying to get Jake away from the door and into a safe area.
"Casseus! You bitches are in for it now!" A voice yells from afar, with many footsteps sounding like they are rapidly coming closer. Looking down at the fresh corpse laying above me, I grab for their unkempt revolver, taking note that they have already shot one bullet already and that I have to make these other ones count. One of the O'Driscolls comes in with a repeater in hand but is too late in aiming his sights as I already had mine aimed at him. Pulling the trigger as fast as I can, I am thankful that the revolver in my hands is a double-action revolver else I would've only shot one shot there instead of emptying all bullets into the guy's torso, effectively ending his pitiful life in this world.
+10 EXP!
Exponential Combat Improvement activated! Fallen enemy's stats and skills are now being allocated into yours!
Though, it seems I have spoken too soon, as another O'Driscoll pops in and takes a gander in taking me down as well. In a panic, I threw the gun at him and thankfully hit him in the face hard enough, since an audible crunch was heard when the revolver hit him square in the nose. As he clutches his face, I look over the corpse I have been using as a potential bullet sponge to see if he has an extra revolver at hand, and thank the Lord he does. Just as I was reaching for it, however, the bastard I threw my gun at recovered faster than anticipated and shot the gun out of my hands.
"You fucking whore! You're dead you hear me!" He roars, lifting his repeater towards me to take his shot.
I instinctively lift the short corpse to take the shot instead of me, and a shot does ring out. I expected another shot in succession, but from beside the corpse I'm holding up I see the guy drop like a sack of potatoes.
Assist! +5 EXP!
Looking towards Sadie, I see that she has her repeater on hand now and that the barrel is smoking, showing that she is the one to have taken the shot. Using this moment to get my revolver back, I thank The Lord that Sadie is as capable as she is with the Van Der Linde Gang.
"Nicely done Sadie!" I compliment her shooting, instinctively turning to the back door the instant I heard the door open. The O'Driscoll had not even taken a step in the house before I shot a bullet straight into his neck.
Taking a moment to watch the O'Driscoll drop the repeater as he holds his neck while choking in his own blood, I quickly take the chance to reload the revolver in my hands with practiced ease I've never had before.
Hell, this is the first time I've ever shot a revolver! I'm more used to rifles and pistols. Is this that {Exponential Combat Improvement} Class Perk at work here?
What do you think? Did you think that you suddenly got better at shooting that gun in your hands for no reason? You're the Horsewoman of War! This is your area of expertise! Now get out there and start killing the fodder so you can get stronger.
Speaking of which…
+10 EXP!
Exponential Combat Improvement activated! Fallen enemy's stats and skills are now being allocated into yours!
Not bothering to bicker with my system, I pick up the repeater of the now-dead O'Driscoll and head out through the back door, just in time to see a molotov cocktail being thrown in my direction. With the collective skills of three subpar criminals, I catch the fire bottle mid-air and throw it back to the O'Driscoll who threw it.
Hearing the bottle break and the outlaw who threw screaming agony made me wince, but it's his fault for bringing those! They're dangerous!
+10 EXP!
Exponential Combat Improvement activated! Fallen enemy's stats and skills are now being allocated into yours!
With the burning O'Driscoll's wailing finally going silent, I focus on the remaining five O'Driscolls, who have finally seemed to wisen up and stay behind cover, poking their upper bodies out for a couple of seconds as they shoot towards the house.
From what their memories tell me, this type of repeater, A Carbine Repeater, holds about seven rounds before needing to reload. With that knowledge in mind, I start my trek in flanking the other O'Driscolls while Sadie has their attention in the house.
As I sprint through the snow, It takes me a moment to realize that I am moving inhumanely fast through the thick snow, if I had to guess I'd say around forty miles per hour!
I can't believe this! This is incredible! With this, I can surely-gah!
-50 HP!
You have received the debuff {Dazed}! Your mental functions have severely decreased for the next fifty seconds.
Oww… my head… No… I must get up…
"The big bitch is down! Get her!"
I feel multiple bodies pile on top of me, forcing me back down into the cold and damp snow.
"You two! Keep those bastards busy! We'll handle her!"
"Hey, hurry up and help me tie her down! We got lucky this bitch hit her head!"
No… I gotta get up… Can't let these bastards win when I just got here!
Huh? Why can't I…? Oh no…
They… tied me down…!
"Hey, now that I take a good look at her, she has a real pretty face!"
"Now that you mention it… Let's sit her up, shall we? Let's see what the goods are looking like!"
No… you fuckers…! Get your dirty hands off of me! Ugh!
-15 HP!
{Dazed} Debuff's duration increased by fifteen seconds!
I try to wriggle out of their grasp, but the sound of my blouse being ripped open froze me in fear.
"Well holy shit! For a big girl, isn't she the beauty!"
"Look at the size of them!"
"Fuck that, imma grab em!"
Feeling that grimy hand reach out for my breast and grab them roughly, I feel my heartbeat quicken rapidly as the {Dazed} debuff is finally working its way out of my system.
They are gonna rape me.
My God, they really are gonna rape me
That was a fact.
And with bound here and being forced on my knees, It was hitting harder than ever.
"So how do you wanna do this boys? Wanna fight for her? Or do you wanna play rock-paper-scissors to see who gets to fuck her first?"
W-What?
"We ain't fighting you Tom! It's obvious you're gonna win if we do! We'll take the second option!"
"Come now Billy, Declan… Do you really believe that?"
"Yes! We're not gonna pick a fight we can't win!"
"HEY! GET YOUR ASSES OVER HERE! YOU CAN FUCK HER LATER!"
"Alright, you heard him. Let her go, they need our help. I'll just take care of this myself."
No… get your hands off me! GET OFF ME! Bueh!?
-25 HP!
"This bitch has a set of lungs on her! Be a good bitch and stay quiet while you lay there, or your other cheek will be next!"
"Tom! Stop messing with her and help us here!"
"Oh shut it Declan! You all can have your fun after I'm done! Don't worry, I won't break her for you!"
Gah!? Stop… choking me…! I'll die…!
"But I gotta see how much punishment a big girl like you can take!"
Please… I'm begging you… stop…!
Man, aren't you pathetic? To think I had high hopes for you… shame.
…
NO.
ENOUGH.
I'VE. HAD. ENOUGH!
New Racial Trait Discovered!
{Apocalyptic Energy}
The energy that courses with the Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse, this adaptable energy source can be used in multiple ways.
"Oh shit! What in the fu-!"
I don't know how it happened. One second, this sick waste of space was choking me and was ready to do unspeakable things to me, next thing I know I'm on top of him throwing punch after punch, not caring where I hit so long as it is hitting him, and hitting him hard.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING!?"
"Shoot it now! Shoo-AAAAH!"
The sound of a horse's distorted neighing and the sudden blast of heat wrapping around me stops me from continuing any further on my beatdown, now realizing that the man's face is no longer there, his head reduced to paste while his chest has been caved in completely with the game notifying me of the boost seconds before.
Looking around me, I see the surrounding snow rapidly melt, soon showing the earthy ground hidden by the winter. Looking up, I catch sight to a horse who for all intents and purposes shouldn't have existed in the first place. From the burgundy coat to the unnatural flames emanating from the hoofs and the mane…
And those unnatural eyes that belong to a predator instead of a horse…
It resonated with me.
"FUCK THIS! I'd rather deal with Colm than this!" the remaining two O''Driscolls start running towards their horses, ready to make their escape when they themselves caused all this mess.
No.
They can't be allowed to live.
People like them will cause more harm if left to their own devices.
Picking up the dead fat bastard's repeater, I aim with impeccable accuracy and place my two shots.
They weren't even able to make it on top of their horses.
Quest Complete!
[Savages From The East]
Objective: Kill the O'Driscolls. (0/10)
Reward: 200 EXP, $30.00 USD, Free Weapon Coupon.
Bonus Objective: Prevent them from killing either Sadie or Jake.
Bonus Reward: Major Reputation Increase from both Jake and Sadie Adler, $20.00 USD, 100 EXP, 2x Common Loot Crate.
Hidden Objective: Prevent the Ranch from burning down.
Hidden Reward: 2x Common Loot Crate, 8x Molotov Cocktails, Traveler's Survival Kit.
You have leveled up! You are now Lv. 4!
You have gained 15 Stat Points!
Quickly looking over my rewards, it gives me the option to put them into my inventory, which I do for now. Letting out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding for so long, I look down to my torn blouse and look at the would-be rapist's corpse with disdain.
I grew to like this blouse, thank you very much!
And now my tits are freezing and my nipples are painfully hard!
But that doesn't matter now, I need to check up on Sadie and Jake! I know the system said they survived but I still need to make sure with my own eyes. "Hey! Are the two of you okay!?" I call out to them, hoping that my voice is enough for them not to shoot the moment I am visible through the doorway.
"We should be telling you that! And why is your shirt open-!? Gah! Sadie, what the hell!?" Jake calls out, holding his side as Sadie covers his eyes, probably to keep him looking my way.
"I ain't letting you see another woman's dignity Jakie, not hold still! I still need to take care of the wound." Sadie chides her husband, motioning me to come inside. "Felicia! Go get yourself a new shirt, I can't keep my husband's eyes covered forever you know?"
Oh yeah, my bad. Not trying to steal your man here Sadie.
Heading to my temporary accommodation on the second floor, I pull out the drawer under my bed and pick out a dark blue buttoned shirt and quickly place it on myself.
"Okay Sadie, I'm all good now. You get to tending Jake and I will take care of all these dead bodies." I tell her, to which she agrees and nods.
"Can you help me with getting Jakie on the bed before you go? I may be strong, but it will certainly make things easier with you here." Sadie requests.
Obviously, I do help her get her husband on the bed, and once I do, I head off to clean up the mess these O'Driscolls made by coming here.
Though, I should be thankful that they came while I was here and not the other way around.
I'm not even going to entertain the thought.
Picking up one of the bodies, I head back out in the cold and look up to the sky to see the sun is just about ready to start setting within the hour.
Best not to lollygag around then.
And for the next ten minutes, I spend my time gathering all the corpses while ignoring the flaming horse's unending stare, whose emanating warmth has melted all the surrounding snow within a five meter radius.
Once I have gathered them, I spend my time looting their bodies for anything useful that I can use.
And for a bunch of pieces of shit, they did have a bunch of things I can definitely use.
You have obtained:
[Regular Revolver Ammunition x90 - Common, E-Rank]
Ammunition used for revolvers, they are differentiated from pistol rounds by the length of their shell casings.
[Regular Repeater Ammunition x56 - Common, E-Rank]
Ammunition used for repeaters, they are differentiated from rifle rounds by the length of their shell casings.
[Lasso Rope x5 - Common, D-Rank]
Rope that has been made specifically for lassoing, can be used in a variety of ways.
Durability: 60/60
[Cattleman Revolver x6 - Common, C-Rank]
A popular and classic sidearm, the Buck Cattleman is a great all-around revolver, featuring a good balance of damage, accuracy and fire rate. Suited for close to medium-range combat, this gun can also be dual-wielded and used on horseback. This gun has an ammo capacity of six rounds.
Damage: 42 HP per bullet
Ammo Capacity: 6 rounds
Rate of fire: Dependent on DEX
Durability: 150/200
[Double-Action Revolver x4 - Common, C-Rank]
The D.D. Packenbush Double-Action Revolver is a fast-firing weapon with relatively low damage. The advanced mechanism prevents the need to cock, at the cost of a heavy trigger pull and lower accuracy. The quick-fire rate makes this a good choice for mounted combat. This gun has an ammo capacity of six rounds.
Damage: 38 HP per bullet
Ammo Capacity: 6 rounds
Rate of fire: Dependent on DEX
Durability: 150/200
[Carbine Repeater x5 - Common, C-Rank]
A reliable and popular repeating rifle, the Buck Carbine provides medium damage and a decent firing rate, with quick reload speeds thanks to the tube-loaded magazine in the weapon's stock. A good, balanced choice for hunting and medium-range combat, this gun has an ammo capacity of seven rounds.
Damage: 60 HP per bullet
Ammo Capacity: 7 rounds
Rate of fire: Dependent on DEX
Durability: 150/200
[Dynamite x5 - Common, B-Rank]
A powerful explosive, designed for mining and construction purposes. It can be used to clear out groups of enemies, or effectively blow up a variety of things including mines, trains, and safes. Light and throw towards your target, or place it down before igniting and running to a safe distance.
Damage: 450 HP within 3m, 25% less damage per meter away from that.
[Gun Belt - Common, D-Rank]
A belt that allows you to put your handguns away when you don't need them. Comes with a side holster and an off-hand holster.
Durability: 60/60
[Bandolier - Common, D-Rank]
A Belt worn over the torso, it holds extra ammunition at the ready for when you need it most. It also has a holsters for you to place your two handed weapon of choice.
Durability: 60/60
[Hunting Knife - Common, C-Rank]
An all-purpose Bowie knife with a sharp clip-point blade, steel crossguard, and sturdy wooden handle. Designed for combat, this weapon can give the edge to any close-quarters melee fight, or be used for silent takedowns. For hunters, this is also the perfect weapon for killing and skinning animals.
Damage: 50 HP + STR/2
Durability: 100/100
+$6.89 USD
Yep, this is some good stuff to start off with.
Granted all the guns have some definite wear on them that seems permanent, no thanks to these O'Driscolls probably not being capable enough to maintain them in tip-top condition.
But aside from that, I'm pretty much happy. Got a decent amount of ammunition, a couple of dollars and some change, a surprisingly well maintained knife alongside a gun belt and a bandolier, and five sticks of dynamite!
A deep chuff interrupts me from my thoughts, and turning around I look to see the burgundy horse staring at me almost expectantly.
As I stare at the mare, the more I feel something within me reverberate. That this horse… belongs to me.
No, not belong to me.
She is part of me.
Walking closer to her, she too does the same, with us meeting in the middle as I slowly hold my hand out to her. She reciprocates, gently moving her head into the palm of my hand, nuzzling into my palm as warm air escapes her nostrils.
"Well, aren't you a lovely one. I thank you for helping me back there. I don't doubt I would've had a more difficult time if not for you. What should I call you?" I whisper to her softly, my mare's warm aura wrapping around me from the outside cold. "How about… Alegria? One who makes me cheerful?"
Increased Affection with Alegria 40/100 (+15 for giving her a name filled with genuine affection.)
Alegria's reaction to her name certainly surprised me. I mean, who would expect their horse to let out a quick stream of flames from her nostrils as she happily nodded her head to the name.
Granted, she has fire motifs written all over her, so I guess I should've anticipated that.
Looking at the pile of corpses slowly being covered by falling snow, an idea pops in my mind. Looking at Alegria, I make eye contact with her and then nod towards the direction of the corpse pile. Alegria got the message immediately, walking towards the pile of corpses and the intensity of the flames on her front right hoof increases significantly in terms of brightness.
The moment her hoof makes contact with the now dead O'Driscolls, it sets off a chain reaction where their bodies combust one after another, creating this small, unceremonious pyre of what should be sun-like intensity considering the bodies are literally evaporating right before my eyes, and yet I feel nothing but a pleasing warmth coming from it.
A bit morbid when I think about it, but that's the closest I can describe it.
Not even half a minute passes and there's nothing remaining of their bodies, not even ash. The only thing left is the melted crater that is glowing bright orange from Alegria's flames.
Realizing that this would be bad for either Sadie or Jake to see, Alegria and I work together to fill in the crater with snow and to pack it with as much snow as we can, even stomping in each layer for better effectiveness.
Sure, they will no doubt discover this by the time spring comes by, but by that point I will hopefully be long gone.
…
Man, what a day this turned out to be…
Hauling the large male elk over my shoulders, I place it over Alegria, and we start heading off back to the Adler Ranch, with me carrying a bighorned sheep myself.
After that day of the attack, it seems I have been in the Adler family's good graces, as they had me do the hunting this time while Sadie tends to her husband, giving me plenty of time these past three days to get used to my new abilities and upgraded stats.
Speaking of stats, I dumped all fifteen of my available stat points right into my LCK stat. There's no way I am going to allow what happened before ever happen again!
With that in mind, I can easily see the difference between slight negative luck and decent positive luck.
For instance, this hunt.
This hunt has been really successful all things considering. Thanks to Alegria's passive heat, no we weren't bewildered with snow constantly landing on us and we used less stamina when traversing the snowy alps of the Ambarino Mountains. Thanks to her speed, we were able to get there front and back in hours instead of days.
Which is another thing I learned about this place.
So the land is pretty much way bigger than in the game obviously, but from what I have seen, it's safe to say that Ambarino is at least a hundred times bigger than what the game shows, and even then I think I am underestimating it.
Today I spent most of my time exploring around the northernmost part of Ambarino, remembering how that part of the world in the game couldn't be explored outside of glitching or cheating, just to see what lied beyond there.
To my utter lack of shock, I found more mountains and snow as far as the eye can see. But still, curiosity drove me to see if I can find anything interesting of note.
And I did.
There were remnants of a small mining town there, and with heightened curiosity I started exploring it to see if there was anything of note I can find.
So far I have found a crate of preserved fruits, like peaches and strawberries, within the decaying general store along with a really well preserved maroon paisley vest and white buttoned shirt put away within a leather briefcase that has stood the tests of nature to preserve what has been kept in it.
From there, I went inside a barn and found a saddle that the game has shown me is called a McKinney Saddle, which I immediately put onto Alegria after making sure there was nothing wrong with it. Not too far from where I found the saddle, hidden within a stack of hay I found a wooden crate with twelve bottles of Old Tom Gin, which if memory serves correctly is an antique alcohol bottle from Red Dead Online, which I then put into my inventory.
I'm not one to drink alcohol, but I know these antique alcohols can bring some good cash in if sold in the right places, so it's best to have them in case I need some extra money.
Sadly after that, there wasn't anything else of note within the barn except dor some candles, so I went on to search within the Sheriff's Station to see if there is anything salvageable in there.
And thankfully there was.
Within an old, wooden gun case on top of a table, I found what is my favorite repeater in the game, even if Rockstar nerfed it hard for the online mode.
[Litchfield Repeater - Common, B-Rank]
A majestic lever action breach loading rifle, it is the latest up to date creation from the Litchfield Arms Company in these times. It is sleek and solid, and made on the same principle of the previous model, which is to protect man and mare on the frontier against those that ignore the teachings of the Good Book to their ultimate peril. Despite a slower fire rate and reload speed compared to competing models, the Litchfield excels at medium range combat; perfect when needing to clear an area. While very damaging, the accuracy of the gun can become an issue while moving or at distances. It has an ammo capacity of 16 rounds.
Damage: 65 HP per bullet
Ammo Capacity: 16 rounds
Rate of fire: Dependent on DEX
Durability: 250/250
This specific rifle seems to have been modified from what I can tell. The metal components look to be nickel plated and the wooden stock is made of dark walnut. Another thing of note is that the repeater has some charcoal-colored cloth wrapped around the grip and the barrel, likely to aid with keeping the rifle steady and accurate for the previous owner.
Taking the rifle out and holstering it behind my bandolier, I noticed a satchel beside it holding a total of thirty canisters of gun oil, ten packets of cleaning cloth, and a box of Express and High Velocity Ammunition for the Repeater.
That too went right in my inventory.
But like with everything, all good things come to an end. I couldn't find else of value within this abandoned town, but that's fine with me. I have already gained more than what I bargained for when exploring here.
With Alegria's superior agility, we were making record time to get back to hunting with some time to spare. On our way back I spotted a large horned elk around twenty five meters away from our location, and decided that it is the perfect opportunity to test out my new Litchfield Repeater.
Since the game has basically turned this game into a reality for me, then I hope these weapons become more realistic in that they don't gain a sudden damage drop-off once the bullet passes a certain distance.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case, as my shot hit true to my target and penetrated straight through the skull, the elk not even being able to let out a cry as its body collapses within its own weight.
Man, these High Velocity Rounds are no joke!
And just as I was heading to get the elk's corpse, I heard the cries of a bighorn sheep a couple meters away. Turns out, the bullet penetrated past the elk and hit the sheep right in the spine, judging by how misshapen the sheep's back is near the entry wound.
I quickly end its life painlessly by pulling out my knife and stabbing it where it heart is.
This leads me back to now, where Alegria and I head back to the ranch just as it is starting to get dark. No doubt Sadie and Jake are going to be worried about me after being gone for so long, but I think my hunt will more than assuage their worries.
"Sadie! Jake! I'm back! And with quite the bounties as well!" I call out once I am close enough to their home.
Sadie comes out a bit later while Jake hangs back at the doorway to see what I have brought. "Did you really just bring that all by yourself!? How?" Sadie exclaims in wonder, taking a good look at the elk hoisted on top of Alegria before changing targets and staring at the large sheep I have over my shoulders.
"Why do you think I took so long?" I retort back, a smile tugging on my lips at the couple's reaction. "Here, let's get these preserved for tomorrow, I wanna see what you will cook with these." I press on, giving the sheep to Sadie while I take down the elk.
"Funny," Sadie claps back. "I was going to say the same thing to you."
"Excuse me fine people!" A voice suddenly calls out from a distance, making me freeze at the knowledge of who is speaking right now.
Dutch Van Der Linde.
Turning around to look at the group coming towards us, my eyes lock onto the one person who made this world such a colorful place for me in my childhood, and good God knows how much I had to restrain myself from fangirling in joy at the sight of him.
Arthur Morgan.
And there we are with this chap y'all!
Tell me what you all think!
And have a happy new year and see you all in 2022!
Sincerely,
Forzarismo
December 31, 2021