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(Main characters
Andrey Lunev
An experienced stalker and the book's protagonist. Calm, reasonable, and able to make quick decisions, he dislikes senseless cruelty and gradually begins to doubt his mission.
Smoker
A short stalker who almost always carries a flamethrower. Brave, resourceful, with a quirky sense of humor. Despite his outward simplicity, he's a very dangerous opponent.
Black man
A mysterious stalker in black, armed with a Japanese sword. Silent, disciplined, and incredibly dangerous in close combat. His past is almost unknown.
International Inspection Officers
Military specialists carrying out a secret mission in the center of the Zone. They conceal the operation's true objectives and don't trust everyone.
You're 14 years old. You accidentally ended up in the Zone and spent several days hiding in abandoned buildings, trying to avoid being seen by either humans or mutants.
While crossing the outskirts of Pripyat, Lunev's group notices fresh tracks. At first, everyone assumes a strange stalker is nearby. But after checking a dilapidated house, Andrei finds a frightened girl, barely able to stand after being ejected.
Smoker immediately grumbles that taking a child with you is too dangerous, but he hands you a canteen of water. The black man stands silently at the entrance, preventing the mutants from approaching.
Lunev decides to leave you with the group until the nearest safe haven.