"How cold…" Ryu muttered through chattering teeth as his body trembled. The temperature inside the auditorium had dropped so suddenly that every breath came out like mist. Yet, even as his body shivered uncontrollably, his eyes never left the monstrous creature before him.
The zombie—if it could still be called that—slowly straightened its back, towering high like a shadow that swallowed the light. Its skin was dark and stretched tight over its bones, and its glowing red eyes locked straight onto Ryu.
ROOOOOOAAARRR!!!
The roar shooked the entire building. Dust fell from the ceiling, and the ground itself seemed to tremble beneath Ryu's feet. The sound was so deep it rattled his chest, making his scalp tingle painfully.
But Ryu didn't move. He knew there was no running away from this. Even if he tried, the creature would catch him in seconds. The only choice left… was to fight.
His knuckles whitened around the knife's handle. He could feel the immense pressure pressing down on him it wasn't just fear, it was like his body was being crushed under the weight of the monster's presence.
'Well… that's too much,' he thought grimly, forcing a small, crooked smile.
And just as that thought crossed his mind.
Boom!
The creature roared again and swung its massive claw toward him. The air itself whistled with the force of the strike. But Ryu had already seen it coming his instincts screamed at him to move. He dove to the side just in time.
Crash!
The sharp claws tore through the floor and wall like paper. Ryu's body slammed hard against the opposite wall, the impact shaking his bones, but thanks to his enhanced strength, he managed to stand up without any major injury.
He took a sharp breath and looked toward the entrance. His heart sank.
The front gate was completely destroyed reduced to rubble. Through the large gap where the door once stood, Ryu saw the nightmare outside. Thousands of zombies surrounded the building, pressing forward, their glowing eyes fixed on him like he was the only spark of life left in a world of death.
Ryu stood up The front gate was gone. Now there was a big gap, making him unable to see the outside world. But what he made made his body tremble. Outside, thousands of zombies surrounded him like he was the only light in the darkness.
Their growls echoed through the broken doorway, blending into a sickening chorus.
Ryu's hands trembled, but he clenched his teeth and tightened his grip on the knife. Fear clawed at his chest, but he forced it down. There was no way out.
He looked back at the hulking creature towering over him.
"…So it's just you and me now," he muttered under his breath.
Straightening his back, Ryu faced the monster once again, determination blazing in his eyes despite the hopelessness that surrounded him.
Ryu clenched his teeth.
Again standing up, he confronted the creature.
Rooooooarr!!
The creature's roar shook the entire auditorium as it glared down at Ryu. The moment it saw the "tiny human" daring to stand again, its rage exploded. With a thunderus stomp, it vanished from its spot and reappeared right in front of him, faster than Ryu could blink.
Whoosh!
The giant claw sliced through the air toward him, aiming to tear him apart. But Ryu's instincts kicked in, he bent low, ducking just in time, feeling the rush of wind as the claw narrowly missed his head.
Without wasting a second, he gripped the knife tightly and slashed upward with all his strength.
Clang!
The blade struck the creature's arm, cutting deep but not enough to sever it. The monster's thick, corpse-like skin was tougher than steel. A blackish-green liquid oozed from the wound, sizzling as it hit the floor.
"Damn… It tough!" Ryu gritted his teeth and jumped back.
The creature howled in fury and lunged forward, swinging its arms wildly. Ryu dodged left, then right, each strike shaking the ground and sending debris flying everywhere. Dust filled the air, and the sound of destruction echoed like thunder.
Finding a small opening, Ryu dashed forward and stabbed his knife into the creature's side. The blade sank halfway, but before he could pull it out, the monster slammed its elbow into him.
Bang!
Ryu was thrown several meters away, rolling on the blood-soaked floor. His ribs ached, his arms trembled, but his grip on the knife never loosened.
The creature roared again, its bloodshot eyes glowing faintly red as it charged once more. Ryu spat out blood and steadied his breathing.
'Come on then,' he thought, wiping his mouth. 'Let's see who dies first.'
Ryu's knife sliced through the air once more, but the creature blocked it with its thick arm and swung back with brutal force.
BAM!
The iimpact sent Ryu flying like a rag doll. He crashed against a broken pillar, the shock rattling his bones. A sharp pain tore through his chest as he coughed out blood, staining the floor beneath him.
"Damn it…" he muttered, his vision blurring for a second. His entire body screamed in pain, but he forced himself to stand. The knife was still in his hand—his only lifeline.
The creature stomped forward, furious, shaking the ground with every step. Its claws gleamed under the flickering lights, and its mouth twisted into a wide, monstrous grin.
But just as it moved closer, it suddenly stopped. A guttural roar escaped its throat.
Roooaaarrr!!!
It was in pain.
Ryu, panting heavily, smirked weakly. When the monster had attacked him earlier, he had driven the knife deep into its flesh and twisted it before it was thrown away. Now, as it raged, he pulled the knife out , black, steaming blood splattered everywhere.
The creature stumbled back slightly, clutching its bleeding side. The wound wasn'tt fatal, but it was deep enough to enrage it further. Its glowing red eyes locked on Ryu again, burning with killing intent.
"You didn't like that, huh?" ryu spat another mouthful of blood but still smirked, gripping the blood soaked knife tighter. "Come then, monster… let's finish this."
The beast howled and charged again, faster and wilder than before. Ryu braced himself, heart pounding, every muscle screaming in protest—but his eyes stayed sharp. He ducked, rolled, and slashed with every ounce of strength he had left, sparks and blood flying with each clash.
He sprinted forward, clashing with the creature head-on once again, the man and the monster, strength and madness colliding under the flickering lights.