Chapter 9: The Drop

Jerry was awoken to Larmen shaking him.

“Hey, wake up. We’re here.” Larmen said.

Jerry yawned and got up from his seat, as Larmen was disembarking the carnage.

“Your Highness” Larmen said as he offered his hands towards Emile.

“Thank you” Emile said, giggling.

Emile and Larmen quickly went towards the gates of the Royal Palace, leaving Jerry alone.

“Hey, Jerry.”

Jerry heard a voice coming from the front of the carriage. It was the carriage driver. A man in his mid-50s, gray hair.

“What” Jerry said, rubbing his eyes.

“Good fight out there. If it were up to me, you’d be the winner. Larmen did two, large strikes that would’ve killed you if they connected. But, you move and strike him in the head with a quick, swift strike. Honestly. He should’ve been disqualified. Not you.” The driver said.

“See, you understand. But I gotta deal with all this nonsense.” Jerry said.

“Don’t worry. Some of us know the truth. Not blinded by the bias shown. Believe me. We’re not all blind like the rest of them. Some very influential people know as well.”

“Thanks man. Best thing I’ve heard all day. Well. I gotta go. Catch ya later” Jerry said as he disembarked.

“Oh, Jerry.”

Jerry stopped at the door, about to jump off.

“Yea?”

“This is as far as civilian carriages are allowed to the Palace. No exceptions. Even if it’s royalty. Some culture stuff. Just follow this road for a bit, and you’ll be there in no time.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

As he got off, the carriage backed up, turned around, and left. Leaving him alone on a pathway to the Palace.

As he was walking down the path, he had a vibration coming from his phone. Jerry pulled out his phone and checked what was happening.

The number in the circle read 200 and the arrow was pointing to his right. Jerry turned to where the point was facing and walked off the trail.

After a while, using his flashlight on his phone, he found a large box with his name on it. Upon closer examination, it read as follows

Tier 1 Survival Drop

Name: Jerry Harren

He tried to pull on it, and it budged very little.

‘Well, let’s crack it open then’ Jerry thought.

Jerry looked around the box to find some sort of way to open it to find a keypad. Just then, his phone vibrated. Jerry pulled up his phone and read the message.

Your PIN is: 3525

‘Well, that’s neat’ Jerry thought. Jerry input the PIN into the keypad to be greeted with a nice, soothing hiss as white smoke poured out.

Inside, was neatly arranged gear that was very compact. Using the moonlight, he was able to navigate through the box. Jerry picked up the chest piece that was provided and put it down quickly.

‘Heavy’ Jerry thought. This would be a problem because Jerry was exhausted from the Arena and being knocked out by magic. It would be nearly impossible to wear this now and not want to collapse.

But at the same time, he wanted to take something with him. He decided to take the pistol that was given to him. He looked around to find a pistol on the lid of the box that was in padded foam resembling the Colt 1911 from back home. However, it looked and felt a bit different. As he held it up, it felt a bit lighter. The slide had vent holes on it, and the standard sights were replaced with a night sight with a glowing material on them. He decided on the pistol since brining the rifle would be too large and it didn’t have a holster for it.

He took the thigh straps and holster in the box along with the flashlights. He put on the thigh straps and put the flashlight in his pocket. Taking 3 magazines, they weighed the same as a pen before taking out a box of .45 ACP Ball, each having 50 rounds per box. It was the size where it would barely fit in his pocket, so he took the ammo out, and put it in his pocket. While he was there, he decided to load the 4 magazines he would need. One in the pistol, and the other 3 on the thigh strap.

The thigh strap had a smaller pouch that could be used. On the pouch were 3 slots for the pistol magazines. He took handfuls of loose ammunition to load into the magazines. After a bit, he had all 4 magazines full. He took around and placed it into the chamber of the pistol, and cocked the gun before inserting a full magazine, making the gun hold 8 rounds plus 1.

Jerry closed the box before returning back onto the path, holstering the pistol. The holster was fairly comfortable and was easily concealable with the pants he was provided by the Palace. The main downside was that he would feel it every time he would sit down. The Thigh strap he was provided was placed on his ankle, under the pants since he wanted to be discreet about it. Not comfortable as it was intended, but works as it stays in place.

‘Can't win’em all I guess’ Jerry thought.

As Jerry was on the road, Larmen was seen running down the path towards Jerry.

“Jerry! Where’ve you been? We were waiting for you at the gate. Why are you so late?”

“Sorry, sorry. Got lost a bit”

“Ah, it happens to the best of us. Well, come now! I heard the King is handing out awards to us!” Larmen exclaimed while slapping Jerry’s back.

‘Annoying.’ Jerry thought.

‘The King, huh. Well, let’s just get it done with. I wanna sleep and get this day over with.’

As Larmen and Jerry approached the gates, Emile could be seen and heard running towards Larmen.

“Larmen! I’ve been waiting for you to return from your noble deed!” Emile said, jumping into Larmen’s arms.

“I have returned Your Highness!” Larmen said, laughing.

“Look you two lovebirds. Do that inside your own rooms. Okay?” Jerry said with I'm done with this crap’ attitude.

“Hey! Pay me respect! I’ll have you know, I’m-”

“Emile Kerrington the Fourth, next to inherit the Empire. Yes, I know, I don’t care and I’m tired. Let’s go inside.” Jerry said, signaling towards the gate.

Emile pouted at this moment. Mostly telling Larmen to do something but Larmen could only laugh awkwardly and shrug.

“He’s right. We should do this when it’s just between the two of us, and not in the open.” Larmen said, thinking it would help Jerry out.

“Thank you” Jerry said, yawning. “Now, let’s go. I’d this done within the next 2 hours.”

Jerry walked passed the gate, and into the Royal Palace.