The battle continued, the sound of Alina's blade slicing through the air accompanied by the sickening squelch of zombie flesh being rent apart.
Her movements were a deadly poetry, leaving behind a trail of shattered bones and mutilated corpses.
With the last remaining zombie weakened and feeble, Alina approached it cautiously. She severed one of its legs, causing it to collapse to the ground, flailing its arms like a malfunctioning robot.
Alina glanced back at Tibby, who was still trembling on the floor, surrounded by her own vomit. "Want to finish this one off?" she offered, extending the opportunity to her shaken companion.
Tibby shook her head weakly, unable to summon the strength or courage to confront the grotesque creature. Alina shrugged and proceeded alone.
She thrust the tip of her Moonfang blade into the socket of the one-eyed zombie before her. As she withdrew it, the eyeball remained impaled on the blade, a gruesome souvenir.
"Ah, it reminds me of those marshmallows shaped like eyeballs we used to roast while camping," she muttered, reminiscing on lighter times.
With a swift kick, she sent the decimated zombie sprawling to the ground, its detached eyeball rolling away.
The battle was over, and silence descended upon the blood-soaked scene. Alina wiped the sweat from her brow, her chest heaving with exertion.
She cast a glance at Tibby, who was still recovering, and then surveyed the aftermath of their brutal fight.
The hallway was strewn with dismembered limbs, shattered bones, and the lifeless bodies of the undead.
The air was thick with the sickly-sweet stench of decay and the metallic tang of blood. It was a haunting sight.
"Will you always be like this, Tibby? Just seeking base points in every mission?"
Tibby looked at Alina with pleading eyes, as if begging for compassion from her.
"You can't always rely on me for protection. I'm not your friend. Protect yourself," Alina continued her journey, leaving Tibby behind.
Tibby's gaze lingered on Alina, a mix of longing and disappointment evident in her eyes. She had always admired Alina's strength and skill, hoping that their partnership would lead to a deeper bond. Yet, with each passing mission, Tibby couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease.
Alina's words cut through the air, piercing Tibby's heart. The reality of their relationship stung, as Alina made it clear that she wasn't willing to be Tibby's protector or confidante. The weight of those words settled heavily on Tibby's shoulders
"Activate olfactory sensors," Alina murmured as she tapped the hidden chip behind her ear.
[System command: Activate olfactory sensors]
A soft hum filled the air as the olfactory sensors within their specialized gear whirred to life, restoring their sense of smell.
Alina then activated her communication channel once again, her voice resounding through the earpieces of her fellow Wolf Squad members.
"Team, report your status," Alina commanded, her tone firm yet filled with concern. "Is everyone still active? Have we suffered any casualties?"
Silence followed for a few moments before the responses came in, each voice reflecting the intensity of the battles they had endured.
"Mark here," Mark's voice came through the communication channel. "No worries, Alina. I'm still kicking zombie butts and ready for more action!"
Alex's voice followed, filled with determination. "This is Alex. No casualties on our end. We're holding our ground and ready to take on whatever comes our way."
Emily's voice chimed in, her tone carrying a mix of confidence and enthusiasm. "Emily reporting in. Don't worry, Alina. I'm still standing tall, ready to unleash some serious firepower. No one's taking me down that easily!"
There was a brief pause before Tibby's voice, soft and hesitant, broke the silence. "Um, it's Tibby. I'm... I'm still here too. Doing my best to keep up."
Alina nodded to herself, relieved to hear that her team was intact. She knew the battles they faced were grueling, and the risk of losing a team member was always present.
"Great job, you guys," Alina commended her friends with a smirk on her face.
Alina then proceeded to activate the Leg Muscle Enhancement Mode, knowing it would give her an extra edge in the upcoming battles.
[System command: Activate Leg Muscle Enhancement Mode]
A surge of power surged through Alina's body, causing her leg muscles to bulge and veins to pop out prominently.
The transformation was almost grotesque, with her legs taking on an intimidating appearance.
Her muscles expanded and became more defined, like a coiled spring ready to be unleashed. The increased strength and agility provided by her enhanced legs would allow her to leap higher, kick harder, and move with lightning-fast speed.
Alina smirked, relishing in the raw power coursing through her veins. With her new leg strength, she felt like she could kick a hole through a steel wall or even punt a zombie into the next century.
With a mighty kick, she unleashed the full force of her enhanced legs, slamming her foot into the door with a resounding impact.
The door shattered into splinters, its hinges giving way under the immense force. The sheer power of Alina's kick not only broke the door, but it also sent her leg crashing through the remnants of the barrier, leaving a gaping hole in its wake.
Alina grinned, pleased with her display of strength. "Looks like I won't be needing a keycard anytime soon,"
As Alina stepped into the room, she was greeted by a group of terrified individuals huddled together in a corner.
They were a mix of men and women, ranging in age from young to old. Their eyes widened in fear as they saw the imposing figure with her enhanced legs and battle-ready stance.
Alina surveyed the room with a calm expression, taking in the sight of the frightened survivors. She slowly approached them, her footsteps echoing in the tense silence.
"Easy there, folks," Alina said, her voice firm yet reassuring. "No need to be alarmed. I'm Alina the Wolf, a Slayer Knight. I've been sent here on a rescue mission to evacuate and protect as many people as possible."
She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "I know it's a chaotic and terrifying situation out there, but I'm here to help. My team and I have been trained to handle these kinds of situations. We'll do everything we can to get you to safety."
Alina's gaze swept across the room, making eye contact with each person in turn.
Amidst the crowd of people in front of her, Alina's gaze fell upon a familiar face, and she was instantly taken aback.
There stood a tall, thin young man near the window, one hand gripping a wire-wrapped baseball bat, while the other cradled his sleeping sister, Hari, in his arms.
"Hobe," Alina whispered softly.