I staggered back, eyes wide as the grotesque transformation unfolded before me. I thought I had seen the worst, but this—this was something else. Leon's smile cracked, his face warping into something monstrous, his jaw unhinging as the skin peeled away to reveal raw muscle, jagged teeth dripping black fluid.
To think these Revenants could disguise has ebough intelligence to speak and can even disguise as humans, so much so it temporarily fooled even the system.
His wife wasn't far behind. Her neck twisted at an unnatural angle, her arms stretching into gnarled claws, her eyes burning with a hunger that sent chills down my spine. Even the little girl, Lily, let out a guttural snarl, her innocent form warping into a vicious, sharp-toothed nightmare.
I couldn't breathe. The stench of rot filled my nostrils. Sweat dripped from my forehead, my legs trembling with the realization that I was out of my league. This world, whatever it was, processed far greater Revenants than my world.
The system pinged in my mind, its robotic tone cutting through the growing panic.
[Warning: Revenant Encounter Detected.
Chance of Survival: 15%]
[Must Ensure Human's survival]
[Engaging Combat Mode...]
[Combat Mode Engaged.]
Combat Mode? That's new.
I swallowed hard, clenching my fists. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline kicking in as the twisted family lunged at me. I dodged left just in time to avoid Mira's clawed hand, which slashed the air with terrifying precision.
"Think, Lance!" I muttered to myself, but my body was already moving instinctively. I was no seasoned fighter. I had the strength, sure, but I relied on the precision of my spear—my trusty weapon that wasn't with me now.
[Suggestion: Use available objects. Grab something.]
I ducked under Leon's massive fist, my body still awkwardly unfamiliar with the style of fighting in close quarters. In the past, Revenants were mindless, shambling creatures that attacked with only the thought of eating. These—these were smart.
Mira's claws slashed through the air, grazing my side, sending a sharp sting of pain coursing through me. Blood trickled down, and I grimaced, barely able to catch my breath before I was forced to dodge again.
[Observation: Damage detected: Minor injury sustained.
Recommendation: Avoid further damage.]
I gritted my teeth. "You think I'm going to die here?" I whispered to myself, but there was no time for doubt.
[Alert: Target detected: Mira. Vulnerable area: Left leg.]
[Action: Strike.]
I didn't question it. My body moved before I could think. Mira lunged again, but this time I reacted before I thought. My right fist collided with her side, and she staggered back, momentarily stunned.
[Success: Strike landed. Mira's balance compromised.]
Is this the system's combat mode? It's as if the system itself is fighting for me.
I didn't give her time to recover. My foot connected with her knee, sending her crashing to the floor. Her scream—if it could even be called that—was muffled by the cracking sound of her bones snapping.
Before I could catch my breath, I heard the telltale snarl of Leon behind me. His massive frame lunged toward me, and I didn't even have time to react before his fist collided with my stomach. The impact sent me flying, crashing into the stone wall of the room. My head spun as I slumped to the floor, gasping for air.
[Warning: Impact detected.
Health levels: Suboptimal.]
[Recommendation: Evade. Avoid further direct combat.]
I wheezed, barely able to move. My body screamed in pain, my muscles burning from the effort. But I wasn't done yet. I couldn't be.
I pushed myself off the floor, the sounds of the Revenants closing in on me. My eyes locked onto Mira, now struggling to rise again. I could end this. I had to.
[Observation: Mira slower than before. Possible weak spot: Left leg.]
[Action: Target weak area.]
The hint from the system was like a beacon, guiding me through the chaos. Mira had her back to me as she struggled to get up. I could see the slight limp in her steps, the way her left leg barely held her weight.
Without hesitation, I charged. The system's voice blared in my mind.
[Action: Engage. Strike.]
I grabbed a nearby shard of stone, gritting my teeth as I closed the distance. Mira, now aware of my approach, turned with a snarl, but I was faster. I plunged the shard deep into her leg, right where the system had pinpointed. The sound of tearing flesh and snapping bone filled the air as Mira screamed, collapsing to the ground with a guttural howl.
[Success: Mira's mobility impaired. Mira incapacitated.]
Blood pooled around her as she clawed at the ground, trying to push herself up, but it was too late. With one final strike, I pressed the shard deeper into her chest, silencing her screams with a sickening crunch.
[Mira Eliminated.]
I didn't let myself breathe easy. The fight wasn't over. I had killed one, but Leon and Lily were still very much a threat.
Leon, seeing Mira fall, roared in fury, his entire form shifting into something even more monstrous. His body bulged, muscles expanding as he grew larger, his claws stretching like blades toward me. Lily, meanwhile, let out a high-pitched screech, her tiny hands raised toward me, ready to tear me apart.
But the system wasn't done with its assistance.
[Alert: Leon's speed increased.
Recommendation: Do not engage directly.]
I didn't have time to question it. I saw the towering form of Leon charging me with terrifying speed, but before I could react, a large wooden beam from the ceiling creaked and fell to the ground.
[Warning: Large object detected.
Recommendation: Utilize object for defense.]
I ducked just as Leon reached me, the beam crashing between us and sending a shockwave through the room. The Revenant's claws scraped against the wood with a ferocious screech, and I darted to the side, using the chaos to my advantage.
Lily shrieked and charged, but I was ready. As she leapt for me, I swept my foot under her, sending her crashing to the ground. Her shriek echoed through the room as she struggled to rise.
Leon, though, was relentless. His claws shredded through the beam, tearing it in half as if it were paper. I didn't have much time.
[Alert: Leon's attack speed increased.
Recommendation: Evade, attack from blind spot.]
I spotted it—his left arm, the one he swung the hardest, was exposed. I saw the weakness in his muscle, the vulnerability in the way he fought. My instincts kicked in, and I rushed toward him, putting all my strength into a punch aimed at his exposed shoulder.
[Action: Strike weak point.
Success: Arm compromised.]
My fist collided with his muscle, and with a sickening snap, his arm crumpled. Leon staggered back, his monstrous form momentarily stunned.
I could feel my heart pounding in my ears, adrenaline flooding my veins. He wasn't done. But neither was I.
I didn't wait. With everything I had left, I charged forward, my mind blank with only one thought—survive.
[Alert: Critical strike opportunity detected.
Action: Do not stop.]
With that, I raised my arm, my fist aimed at his head, and slammed it into his skull.
The impact echoed like a thunderclap, the sound of cracking bone and rupturing tissue making me wince. His body crumpled like a ragdoll, his monstrous form collapsing to the floor with a final, deafening thud.
[Success: Leon Eliminated.]
I didn't take a moment to breathe. My hands were shaking, my body slick with sweat and blood, but I couldn't stop now. Lily was still alive.
[Alert: Hostile Entity Detected: Lily.]
[Recommendation: Engage target.]