Chapter 31: Clearing the Mall PT2
Samuel barely had time to catch his breath when he sensed 2 Aurora mutants running towards him. "Crap!" he cursed as the monsters were only a few meters away from him. He took his blade out from the jaw of the mutant he just killed. Then pierced it into its chest. He raised the mutant's dead body and kicked it with all his strength. It went flying towards the furthest approaching mutant.
"Bang!" the corps of the dead mutants crashed into one of the mutants running towards Samuel. Stopping its advance for a few seconds. Then with only one mutant left to handle. Samuel barely had time to prepare as the Aurora mutant arrived within striking distance. It swung its Aurora-coated claw at Samuel's head. Yet instead of backing away, Samuel dived into the attack head first. He tilted his body to the left side and the claw went past his cheek. Samuel suffered a small cut on his right cheek but ignored it. 'I need to end this guy fast before the other one gets back up' Samuel thought to himself.
Samuel closed the distance and the knife in his right hand came aiming for the mutant's head. He held it in a reverse grip and plunged it deep into the mutant's skull. The attack landed with a sickening sound. The sound and the feeling of cutting into flesh made Samuel feel uncomfortable. But he wouldn't let that stop him.
[You have slain Aurora mutants (Mortal, Stage 3) x1. Your legend raises slightly]
At that exact moment, Samuel's perception caught the faintest hint of Mythos leaving the dead mutant body and entering his. As soon as his body absorbed it. He felt something inside his crack. Then rush or energy filled every inch of his body. It was an addictively pleasant sensation. Then a notification appeared in his mind.
[Your legend raises. Congratulations on reaching stage 2 of the Mortal Legend.]
Samuel took a deep breath processing the increase in power he just received "Dad was right. This feeling is incredible." Samuel said. His thoughts were then grabbed by the Aurora mutant he had stalled using the corps he threw. It was rushing towards him. Eyes bulging and mouth wide open. It hungered for his flesh.
Samuel instantly noticed a difference. This monster used to be significantly faster than him. So much so that he needed to prepare each action he took with great care and focus. Now it moved at a normal speed in his perception. "Slash!" it slashed its claws at Samuel, only to have it pass through thin air.
Samuel had casually dodged the attack. "I'm just as fast as you now," Samuel said. The Aurora mutant attacked again and again. But each time Samuel easily dodged its attacks. "No, not yet. I'm still a bit slower but now the difference isn't as bad as large as before." Samuel said. But just as Samuel was about to counter attack he stepped on a cylindrical object. This caused him to slip and fall.
When he fell the aurora mutant pounced on him. Samuel blocks its claws with his knives. But the mutant used it used mouth to bite him. Samuel was cornered with little space for movement. He moved his head from side to side dodging the aurora mutant's attempts to bite him. While also trying to keep it distant enough so that its mouth couldn't easily reach him.
'Damn it what did I slip on. I should have used my enhanced perception. I got to cocky' Samuel thought to himself. Luckily he sensed Susan coming his way. "Bang with a punch of her Aurora-covered fist she sent the mutant flying off him. It died on impact. Samuel didn't get anything from its death due to his contribution to its death being close to nothing.
"What's wrong with you? How could you slip on something during a fight? Anyone could have seen that cylinder. I expected more from you. I guess you are just a novice" Susan said. Samuel got back onto his feet as he said. "Yeah, I got overconfident. I need more experience. Thanks for saving me." Samuel said in embarrassment. He decided not to tell them that he was blind.
'I don't need them getting any more reasons to say I'm weak. If they find out I'm blind. The chance of them thinking I'm useless will increase. They might not include me in the plan to take out the Corrupted lords.' Samuel thought to himself. "Well then let's get going. All the Aurora mutants in this area are dead let's go find more." Susan said and then walked away.
Samuel collected the legend crystals dropped by those he killed and placed them in his hoody's pocket. Currently, he has collected 5 legend crystals. Samuel followed her and the other members of their group. They went everywhere on the floor. Most of the monsters that appeared were 4th to 5th-stage monsters. Susan and the others took care of them while Samuel handled the 3rd stage small fries.
Before anyone realized it 30 minutes had passed and they had cleared the whole floor. Susan's group met up with Rebecca's group and they went to the higher floors. Samuel had so far killed eight 3rd stage mutants after he reached stage 2. He was ready to hunt some more. He had learned a valuable lesson about not underestimating his opponents. Since then his enhanced perception was kept on at all times.
As soon as they reached the 2nd floor Samuel and the others went to work. He followed behind Susan and another guy with a spiked bat. In front of them was a group of 4th-stage Aurora mutants. While Susan and the other guys dealt with the 4th stage Aurora mutants Samuel paid attention to a pair of 3rd stage mutants that were approaching from a distance.
It was pretty easy intercepting them. With his combat skills and knives, he easily took them out and collected their legend crystals. Time moved on as the various groups dealt with the Aurora mutants that filled the mall. But very soon Samuel found himself facing a challenge. After the first hour, all 3rd stage mutants had been killed. Leaving Samuel no other choice than to go after the 4th stage mutants.
So there he was facing his first 4th stage monster. The mutant had a thicker black-purple aura in Samuel's senses. They were currently in what appeared to be a food court. The Aurora mutant lunged at Samuel with razor-sharp teeth and claws ready to tear him apart. Samuel's expression grew serious. 'It's fast' he thought as he threw a table that was next to him. The table crashed into the mutant but it easily slapped it away.
Shattering the table into multiple pieces. Samuel got into a battle stance as the Aurora mutant approached him. It suddenly jumped high with its claws ready to slice down on Samuel. Samuel wasn't going to just stand there so he dodged. Jumping backward by just enough for the mutant to miss him by a meter. It landed heavily on the ground. It was now bent over with its claws stuck in the floor. Samuel took the opportunity to attack. Both knives aimed for the mutant's neck. "Roar!" the mutant roared as it yanked its claws out of the ground. It then swung its claws upwards and parried Samuel's knives.
"Clang!" the impact from the clash made Samuel's arms feel numb. The Aurora mutant strength had pushed him backward. Even though Samuel seemed to be at a disadvantage a smile crept onto his face as saw the state of the aurora mutant claws. Most of its claws were broken with those that did remain looking like they would fall at any second.
'Now move fast before it can regenerate' Samuel thought as he went on the offensive. He slashed at the mutant forcing it to block his attack. The mutant was stronger them him. But his knives were too high quality for the mutants' claws to compare to. Samuel would dodge every attack sent his way. While also making sure every attack he dealt gave the mutant a large injury.
It wasn't easy to keep up with the Aurora mutant. Samuel's only saving grace was that it was a mindless monster. If the aurora mutant was a human. Samuel didn't know how well he would be fairing against it. After 2 minutes of fighting the battle ended with Samuel's hunting knife cutting through its neck. While taking heavy breaths Samuel said "Next".
[You have slain Aurora mutants (Mortal, Stage 4) x1. Your legend raises slightly]
Samuel and his group kept on hunting more and more Aurora mutants. Until the whole mall had been completely cleared out. When Samuel thought that this was the end since all the mutants in the mall were dead. He heard a loud sound coming from speakers in the mall. The sound continued for a few seconds before stopping. Currently, Samuel is back on the ground floor. "Susan, what was that sound?" Samuel asked.
"Those are the speakers. Cole does this every time. When we clear the mall he activates the speakers to attract more Aurora mutants to come back to the mall. So we can hunt again." Susan replied. "But how does he do it? There's no electricity here" Samuel asked as he and the other fighters returned to base. "There are generators that still work. So twice a day we switch them on to attract more Aurora mutants. Even our base has one that's why we have lights on." Susan said.
Samuel and the rest of the hunters returned to the dark 1st floor of the mall. After a couple of seconds, they all entered the base and returned to get some rest. Samuel was very tired so he very much appreciated the rest. After being led by one of the fighters to a tent meant for him. He entered the tent and prepared to rest. To his surprise, his bags were in the tent and nothing was stolen.