Chapitre 3: First Quest

I eagerly delved into the System's challenges, my eyes scanning through the list of quests with mounting excitement. The difficulty ratings ranged from near-impossible to challenging but doable. For a pro gamer like me, the bar was set high, but it was a challenge I relished.

As I explored the challenges, my excitement grew with each quest I considered. "Get 3 Aces in a competitive match in a row in Counter and Strike?" I exclaimed, shaking my head in disbelief. "That's insane!" I muttered, my imaginary fingers dancing over the System's interface.

I continued scrolling, my eyes widening as I read the next challenge. "Beat Elder's Ring in one hour? Who comes up with these things?" I chuckled, marveling at the audacity of the quest creators.

But as I ventured deeper into the list, my excitement gave way to a shiver of trepidation. The penalties for failure were enough to send a chill down anyone's spine. "Lose your eyes for a year?" I gasped, my voice trembling. "That's... that's not a penalty, that's a nightmare!" I muttered, my thoughts racing, especially with the looming refresh timer of less than 7 days.

As I shifted my gaze to the challenge that had caught my eye, the one set in the world of Extract from Tarko, I couldn't contain my enthusiasm. "Make 7 million roubles in a week? Now that's more like it!" I grinned, my heart racing with anticipation.

To the average player, this task would be daunting, if not impossible, within such a tight timeframe. But for me, with my stash overflowing with valuable gear, it felt attainable.

Extract from Tarko, or simply "Tarko" to its dedicated players, was a brutal and unforgiving first-person shooter. Set in a war-torn Russian city, the game was known for its extreme realism, where every bullet counted, every piece of gear had value, and every raid was a high-stakes gamble.

The city was divided into different maps, each offering its own unique challenges and rewards. Labs, in particular, was infamous for its high-intensity raids, rife with top-tier gear and deadly PMC squads. It was the perfect hunting ground for someone like me.

I studied the reward for the quest: "Limited extraction of Extract from Tarko." It was intriguing. According to the brief description that appeared in my mind, this ability would allow me to summon characters and items from Extract from Tarko, with a limit of ten concurrent NPC summons per level. The prospect of having a squad of Tarko NPCs at my disposal was tantalizing, and the ability could be leveled up.

With a newfound determination, I began to formulate a plan. First, I would prepare my in-game account by meticulously sorting my stash, ensuring I had the best gear at my disposal. Second, I would reach out to some elite players online and create a five-man squad, stacking the odds in my favor. Finally, I would focus exclusively on high-risk, high-reward raids in the Labs map for the entire week.

I couldn't help but chuckle with excitement. "This is it, Alex. Your chance to prove yourself and change your life forever. Let's get ready to conquer Tarko like never before!"

With my strategy in mind, I couldn't wait to dive into the challenge and unlock the incredible potential that the System had granted me.

With my plan in motion, I wasted no time. I reached out to some elite players in the world of Extract from Tarko, hiring four skilled mercenaries to form a formidable squad. It cost me a meager $500, a small price to pay for the potential rewards that awaited.

Together, we ventured into the unforgiving depths of Labs, our goal clear: accumulate 7 million roubles worth of extracted raid items within a week. The pressure was on, but I was ready to embrace the challenge.

We didn't immediately accept the quest. Instead, we waited patiently, choosing the perfect moment to embark on this high-risk endeavor. It was only when we stumbled upon a particularly lucrative raid, filled with valuable gear and loot, that we decided the time was right.

As we delved into the raid, the tension was palpable. Labs was notorious for its treacherous corridors and deadly encounters. We moved cautiously, each step measured, our trigger fingers at the ready.

From the get-go, the roubles began to flow. We secured rare items, high-end weapons, and stacks of currency. With 6 days and 5 hours remaining, we had already extracted 300k roubles' worth of goods. The pace was exhilarating, but it came with its fair share of challenges.

We encountered formidable enemy players who tested our mettle, and I had my share of deaths. But each setback only fueled our determination to succeed. We pressed on, navigating the ever-shifting dynamics of the game.

Yet, not all our challenges were natural. We ran into hackers, players who seemed to defy the rules of the game, unleashing cheats and exploits. It was infuriating, but we adapted, learning to outmaneuver even the most unscrupulous foes.

We tried different techniques and even exfil camping, but I decided that was too slow and I didn't lose progress for losing gear/loot or dying. It was only going up based on the value of extracted items.

As the days ticked away, the pressure mounted. With just 1 day remaining, our team faced a daunting choice: play it safe and extract with our hard-earned loot or push our luck for more loot, potentially game-changing raid.

We chose the latter.

In a heart-pounding raid that pushed us to our limits, we faced a barrage of obstacles. But our teamwork, honed over the week, proved to be our greatest asset. With the seconds ticking down, we extracted with our last batch of loot, just as the timer on the System's challenge quest reached its end.

We did it. The quest was complete, and the System's rewards were within my grasp. As the adrenaline coursed through my veins, I couldn't help but smile. This was just the beginning of my journey, and the power I had acquired was just the start.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I knew my life would change.