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Chapter 13: Into the Depths
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Dawn broke over the city, casting pale light over the desolate streets. Kaito and his team were ready. The Conduit—an entity capable of coordinating the infected—was their target, and they knew this mission would be their most dangerous yet.
"Let's make this quick," Kaito said, tightening his gear. "We know what we're up against, but this thing... it's no ordinary target. It's the brain behind the infected."
Ayumi met his gaze. "And we're walking into its lair."
Kaito nodded, checking his stats on his Status screen one last time.
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[STATUS: Kaito]
Level: 11
Strength: 22 | Agility: 25 | Perception: 27 | Endurance: 21 | Intelligence: 20 | Luck: 18
Titles: Infiltrator, Pathfinder, First Slayer
Skills: Tracker's Instinct, Basic Combat Proficiency, Leadership I
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He closed his screen, looking at his team. "We stick together. We find the Conduit, take it out, and get back. Fast."
Ryo cracked his knuckles. "Just tell me where to swing."
Ayumi gave a small nod. "We can't afford any slip-ups."
"Agreed," Kaito replied. "Let's move out."
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Into Enemy Territory
They moved quickly, sticking to the shadows. The city was eerily quiet as they made their way south into unfamiliar streets. Overgrown vines and broken windows marked the area. The Conduit was close, and the air felt heavy with its presence.
After an hour of tense navigation, Kaito froze. His Tracker's Instinct was picking up something—a faint, rhythmic pulsing sound.
"Do you hear that?" Kaito whispered.
Ayumi's eyes narrowed. "It's coming from that building." She pointed to a decaying office tower up ahead.
Kaito raised a hand. "Stay low."
They approached the building, the pulsing sound growing louder. Kaito's senses sharpened as they neared the broken entrance. Shadows shifted within, and Kaito knew: the infected were waiting.
"We have company," Kaito whispered. "Keep quiet."
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The Silent Approach
They slipped inside through a broken side door, moving through the empty hallways with practiced caution. Kaito paused every few steps, listening. His Tracker's Instinct helped them dodge close calls, guiding them through the abandoned structure until they reached a stairwell. The pulsing sound echoed through the walls, vibrating the very air.
Ayumi spoke in a hushed tone. "It's like a nerve center. We're close."
"Stay sharp," Kaito muttered.
They descended into the heart of the building. The air grew heavier, the pulsing almost deafening. Then, they entered the room at the bottom floor, and there it was—the Conduit.
It was a massive, grotesque mass of twisted flesh and wires. Its body pulsed like a dark heart, sending waves of energy through the room. The infected gathered around it, kneeling in worship, their eyes glazed and unfocused.
Kaito's stomach turned, but he steeled himself. This was it.
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The Battle Begins
As soon as they entered the room, the Conduit's presence was felt. It let out a low growl, vibrating the floor beneath them. The infected turned in unison, their vacant eyes locking onto Kaito and his team.
"Get ready," Kaito growled. "We're taking this thing down."
Ryo charged forward with a roar, swinging his makeshift hammer and crushing the nearest infected. Hana followed with her spear, taking down two more in quick succession. Ayumi moved like a shadow, cutting through the infected with deadly precision.
But Kaito's focus was on the Conduit. As he weaved through the chaos, a notification appeared in his vision:
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[SYSTEM NOTICE: CONDUIT BOSS ENCOUNTER]
Conduit – Infected Intelligence Core
Health: 3000
Abilities: Summon Minions, Regenerative Core, Hive Coordination Boost
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Kaito's grip tightened on his weapon. The Conduit was a monster unlike anything they had faced. It could summon reinforcements, and its regenerative powers were off the charts.
"Focus on the Conduit!" Kaito shouted. "We can't let it call for help!"
The team fought fiercely, pushing back wave after wave of infected. Every time the Conduit pulsed, the infected surged forward with renewed strength. Kaito pushed through, determined to end this.
He lunged forward, slashing at the Conduit. His weapon sank deep into its flesh, but the creature's regenerative abilities kicked in immediately, healing the wound. Kaito cursed under his breath.
"It's regenerating too fast!" Ayumi yelled, fending off a group of infected.
Kaito's mind raced. There had to be a way to stop it. Then it hit him—the device they had destroyed back in the hospital. It was a conduit of energy. Maybe this thing operated the same way.
"Find the power source!" Kaito shouted. "Look for any cables or connections!"
The team spread out, attacking the Conduit's appendages while searching for its weak points. Hana spotted a thick, vein-like cable extending from the Conduit into the floor. She stabbed her spear into it, and a jolt of energy sparked.
The Conduit screamed in agony, its regeneration slowing. "That's it!" Kaito yelled. "Sever the cables!"
Ryo and Ayumi moved quickly, hacking at the remaining cables. With each severed connection, the Conduit grew weaker, its once powerful pulses fading. Kaito saw his chance and charged, driving his weapon deep into its core.
The Conduit let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing. Its pulsating energy died, leaving only silence in its wake.
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Victory and New Power
Kaito's vision blurred as the system flashed a new notification:
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[SYSTEM NOTICE: BOSS DEFEATED]
Mission: Eliminate the Conduit – Completed
Reward: 5,000 Experience Points, Title: Hunter of the Hivemind, Skill Unlock: Conduit's Insight
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Kaito took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. The Conduit was gone, and with it, the infected's central command.
The team regrouped, their faces flushed with exhaustion but triumphant. Ryo clapped Kaito on the back. "That was one hell of a fight."
Kaito smiled, but his mind was already focused on what came next. "We've won this battle, but there's more work to do. We need to regroup, plan our next move, and see what else this city has in store."
They nodded, knowing the war was far from over. But for the first time in a long while, they felt hope. The city was theirs to reclaim.
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