The silence before the storm was oppressive. The sky, gray and suffocating, loomed over the deserted streets of Raccoon City. Cracks in the asphalt, bloodstains, and corpses half-devoured made it clear: the city was no longer a place for the living.
Erick, walking in front of the group, exhaled heavily and glanced around cautiously. His senses were on edge. His pulse, despite the calm before the storm, echoed like a countdown.
"System," he thought. And the screen appeared before his eyes.
— STATUS —
Name: Erick
Age: 21
Physical Condition: Peak human (due to animal ability fusion)
Strength: High human level
Speed: High human level
Endurance: High human level
Energy: Stable
— ABILITIES —
Snow Leopard Instinct (Level 2): Sharpened reflexes and agility.
Feline Agility (Level 2): Enhanced mobility, improved leaps and dodges.
Raccoon Claws (Level 1): Retractable claws capable of sharp slashes. Short duration, ideal for stealth attacks.
Enhanced Hearing (Bat) (Level 1): Detects low-frequency sounds and distant movement.
Night Vision I (Partial): Allows vision in low-light environments. Still developing.
Instinctive Jump: Enables longer jumps and softens medium-height falls.
Fusion Points Available: 2
Store: [LOCKED]
"Everything's in place," he murmured, clenching his fists. "No turning back."
Leon walked beside him, silent but focused. Claire, always one step behind, tightened her grip on her pistol. The atmosphere was tense — not just from the threat, but from the emotional weight they all carried.
"This world's rotting fast," Erick said suddenly. "Feels like a movie... except you can smell the blood in the air."
Claire gave a faint smile, tired. "It's hard to believe it used to be our home."
Leon didn't look back. "We're heading to the warehouse. If the supplies are intact, we'll be able to move on and plan something. Maybe head west, or look for survivors."
A low growl interrupted the thought. It wasn't human.
Erick immediately crouched, signaling the others to stop.
A hulking shadow moved between the wreckage of cars. Red eyes, a snarling maw, black flesh pulsing with veins.
"A Cerberus?" Leon asked.
"No," Erick replied. "It's worse."
The beast — massive, black as pitch, with claws like sickles — jumped from the shadows and lunged at them.
Leon fired three precise shots. Claire followed with a burst. The bullets slowed the creature, but didn't bring it down. Erick dashed forward, dodging between debris and rusted cars with feline agility.
He activated his Raccoon Claws, the sound of metal sliding from his hands echoing faintly. A deep slash opened across the monster's shoulder. It screamed — loud and guttural — and retaliated with a swipe that nearly tore Erick's side. He dodged by instinct, but the beast was fast.
Leon and Claire spread out. Claire emptied a magazine into the creature's legs while Leon took a shot straight to its eye — partially blinding it.
"It's adapting," Erick shouted. "Aim for the spine!"
The creature leapt toward Leon. The agent tripped, gun slipping from his hands — the beast would've killed him had Erick not hurled himself into the path. He slashed its jaw, forcing it back.
Leon gasped and looked at him. "Why… Why would you risk yourself like that?"
Erick, panting: "Because I won't let anyone die in front of me again."
The monster turned its attention back to Erick, enraged. The fight stretched on, claws against steel, bullets echoing through the city. At last — with a final coordinated assault from all three — Erick jumped over a collapsed bus, twisted midair, and embedded his claws deep into the creature's skull.
Silence.
The body collapsed. Erick, breathing hard, dropped to his knees.
— SYSTEM NOTICE —
Enemy defeated: Mutated Cerberus variant.
Reward: Ability acquired — Axolotl Regeneration (Level 1).
Moderate regeneration of wounds over time. Activates passively when injured.
He closed his eyes, blood dripping from his temple. His body began to heal slowly, the pain dulling.
Leon approached him, visibly shaken.
"Okay," he said, with a hint of irony, "what the hell are you?"
Erick gave a crooked smile. "Just a guy with some weird luck and good instincts."
Claire looked at the corpse of the creature, still stunned. "This world is falling apart… and people are changing with it."
They all fell silent. Around them, the wind carried the distant moans of the dead.
Author's note: If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to leave a star and add it to your library (it really helps!). Let me know what you'd like to see next in the adventure!