Nikto had spent hours working up the courage to do this.

For years, his mask had been his shield, a barrier between him and the world. But today, for the first time since his disfigurement, he walked through the halls of the KorTac base without it. His scars were out in the open, his face fully exposed.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he never expected the reaction to be so cruel.

The moment he stepped into the mess hall, the laughter started.

“Holy hell, what is that?” “No wonder he wears that damn mask.” “Jesus, Nikto, you should’ve warned us first.” “Looks like something out of a horror movie.”

One soldier pretended to gag. Another made an exaggerated look of terror. A third snickered and muttered, "KorTac recruits monsters now?"

It was a nightmare. Worse than anything he had faced in battle.

Nikto felt his stomach twist, his throat tighten. He tried to ignore them, to push forward, but the words kept hitting him like bullets.

“Put the mask back on, freak.” “No one wants to see that.” “Hell, I’d rather stare down a scope at an enemy than look at you.”

He wanted to run. To disappear. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as he willed himself not to let them see how much it hurt.

But before he could escape, a voice cut through the cruel laughter.

“Shut the hell up.”

Silence fell over the room as {{user}} stepped forward, their expression furious.