"What the hell—what is that thing?!" Jin's jaw tightened.
Asha speaks in his neural link cutting through the chaos "Designation: Crawler. Apex Mutation Variant. Origin: Human—identity unrecoverable. Attributes include residual muscle memory, enhanced predator instincts, and fragmented neural cohesion. Functions on semi-autonomous pack behavior. Specialized in stealth ambush, rapid strikes, Reactivation triggers: Movement, sound and blood."
[SKILL PASSIVE: Mutated Fauna Combat Basics – ACTIVATED]
Analyzing behavior patterns…
Weakness detected: rear flank — spinal joint exposed post-lunge.
Aggression level: High
Mobility forecast: irregular movement due to spinal fracture
Evasion bonus: +5%
Target prediction: Assisted by ASHA
Sera, eyes burning with determination, adjusted her grip on the Pulse-Lance. Her fingers still trembled slightly. "That thing is far from being a human anymore."
She glanced at the ceiling vents, where faint skitters echoed. "And it's not alone, is it…?"
Rosa's eye widening and backing toward the flank "Just tell me it's alone—please tell me it doesn't have any minions."
"Asha…?" Jin whispered grimly.
"Negative. Thermal imaging confirms many heat signatures. Eleven separate vectors. Closing in. Proximity breach: 40 meters and falling."
Clara, barely able to speak, reached for Jin's arm. Her fingers clutched tightly, digging into his sleeve with trembling hands. "J-Jin… they're everywhere… what do we do…?" Her voice was a whisper of pure terror, that pressed close to him.
Jin gritted his teeth. "I won't let anyone die."
The Crawler lifted its head, a wet gurgling screech rising from its chest-mouth. The gaping maw split wide with a sickening click-pop. Its jawbone dislocates further than any human should survive. Acidic saliva hissed against the floor as it dripped from its fangs and smoke rising where it landed.
"Chemical pheromone release detected. Alert: This unit may be signaling others. Countdown to coordinated swarm: 170 seconds.""
Jin stepped forward, putting himself between Clara and the mutated monster, pipe ready. "I need to end this before it's other friends get here…"
[COMBAT ANALYSIS: MUTATED FAUNA]
Behavior loop detected.
Predictable lunge pattern identified: forward burst → recoil pause → rebound strike.
Recommended Counter-Strategy:
Maneuver: Strafe left
Attack Vector: Weapon arc — high angle to base of spine
Timing Window: Initiate 1.4 seconds post-crouch pivot
Projected Outcome:
Chance of dismemberment: 64%
Critical suppression: HIGH
Stamina cost: Minimal
Jin tightened his grip on his pipe, and his eyes burning with that same iron resolve.
His heart pounded, a war drum in his chest, but his will refused to break.
The Crawler's jaws opened wider, with a sickening click***, revealing fangs dripping with acid.
It screamed- SKKKKKRREEEEEEEEEEEEE-AHK-CHHHHKKKKK!!
The sound rattled the ceiling panels, and then a scream filtered through the air.
Everyone flinched. Clara covered her ears with a sob.
Rosa covering her ears "...Ugghhh..make it stop!" Her cheerfulness was gone and replaced by a terror in front of her.
The Crawler lunged, claws slashing and its horrifying chest-mouth snapping toward Jin.
But Jin was already moving.
[Target pattern: Confirmed — lateral slash followed by forward thrust.]
[Suggested action: Evasive roll, strafe right. Counter from the rear left quadrant.]
With a remarkable display of practiced agility, Jin gracefully lowered his body, sinking into a low crouch. In one seamless motion, he pivoted sharply on his heel and deftly rolled to the side, narrowly escaping the fierce claws that scraped through the air in the exact spot where he had been standing just an instant before.
His movements were almost unnaturally smooth, suggesting he had anticipated this very moment long before it occurred, as if he had rehearsed the sequence time and time again.
As he executed this evasion, the heads-up display (HUD) flickered to life once more, providing him with critical, real-time information on the vectors of the threats surrounding him, allowing him to stay one step ahead in this dire situation.
"Critical warning: This creature is highly intelligent. Do not allow flanking maneuvers."
Jin's eyes flicking to Sera "Sera! Can you draw its attention? I'll get around it—try for the back!"
Sera's eyes widened slightly. Her hands shook, but she raised the VX-07 Pulse-Lance, the weapon humming with pent-up energy. The targeting reticles aligned. "Y-you think I need you to tell me that?! I know what I'm doing!"
The moment the Crawler turned its twisted head toward her—
"HEY! UGLY! COME GET SOME!" Sera roar with fierce resolve.
She fired. KA-BRAAM!
The plasma bolt roared from the barrel, lighting up the corridor. The recoil kicked back harder than she expected throwing Sera off her feet and onto the metal floor. "O-ow...t-that hurts..."
The blast slammed into the Crawler's torso, vaporizing part of its chest plating. Its scream split the air.
But it wasn't dead. Not enough.
The Crawler screeched again. Its mouth is wide drooling with sizzling venom that hissed across the scorched metal floor.
Jin skidded across the deck crouching, and moving behind the monster while its focus remained locked on Sera.
"Strike at the lower spinal socket. Estimated integrity compromised by 41%. One clean hit will sever its movement relay. Pipe integrity: one use remaining. Make it count, Jin."
"Okay… okay, now or never." His eyes narrowed as he focused on the targeting overlay that pulsed at the base of the creature's spine on his HUD.
[SKILL PASSIVE: Mutated Fauna Combat Basics – ACTIVE]
[Analyzing target behavior...]
> Pattern Identified:
→ Lateral slash → Forward lunge sequence confirmed.
> Weak Point:
→ Rear left quadrant – exposed spine joint.
> Mobility Forecast:
→ Impaired gait due to spinal fracture.
→ Unstable turns on the rear axis.
> Evasion Protocol:
→ Recommend evasive roll → strafe right.
> Counter-Strike Opportunity:
→ High-angle arc → lower spine.
→ Estimated Dismemberment Chance: 64%
→ Suppression Rating: CRITICAL
[WARNING: Target exhibits advanced cognition. Flanking maneuver risk HIGH.]
[Target prediction currently assisted by: ASHA]
"Trajectory Calculated. Adjusting stance. Rotate your left knee at 7°. Apply downward force at the apex of the arc."
Jin moved.
His pipe rose behind his shoulder and everything slowed down.
The Crawler hissed, its torso twitch from behind as if sensing danger, but it was too late.
Jin roared desperately "STAY—AWAY—FROM—THEM!!"
[Combat Art – Desperate Strike – ACTIVATED]
He brought the pipe down with all his might, and raw desperation behind the swing. The steel shaft is connected with a sickening CRUNCH—
The strike slammed directly into the exposed spinal node.
The bone snapped and black liquid exploded.
[Critical Hit!]
[Crawler Paralysis: 100% Confirmed.
Mobility: Offline. Combat Function: Terminated.
Weapon Durability: 0% – PIPE DESTROYED.]
The Crawler's limbs went rigid. Its scream died, and it slumped to the floor in a twitching heap, it's mouth opened wide without moving. Its last breath oozing some acid smoke and making the sound of death.
Jin stumbled back, chest heaving and the bloody pipe bent beyond use in his hand.