Back when I was a rookie, I was traveling with this veteran loner. We were heading up to the ecologist base through the swamp to sell some artefacts and earn some money, maybe take a couple of jobs. I was looking to get a good reputation and join the scientists, figuring I'd be rich and an expert stalker in no time.

I'd asked him and his friend to come with me, and before setting off I grabbed a couple of bandages, some yadulin, and my rusty pump shotgun. I barely had any slugs! I was so under prepared, but I had no idea.

Over the next few days, we faced dogs, Sin, sudden emissions, and even lost the vet's buddy in a firefight. We barely made it out of the swamp, and I was starting to realise that I had been far too cocky.

Just as we found the path further north, I heard a strange growl. Two shining points of light floated in front of me, racing closer.

A fucking bloodsucker! It got me good, ripped a great chunk out of my arm. I freaked out, shot back wildly, but only one of the shots even landed. I had to quickly reach for my meds, shitting myself, and I was about sure this was the end.

But my buddy - he stood there, firm as anything, and when that thing came back round, he didn't fucking flinch. Just raised his AK, and fired a burst right into it. The creature fell at his feet.

He turned to me with a grin, and in that moment I realised the difference between a rookie stalker and a veteran stalker.

Unfortunately, I also realised that I was bleeding fast, and had ran out of bandages in the last firefight...