Chapter 6: A Larger Threat
Alex stood in the hallway, gripping the crowbar tightly as he stared at the dark corridor stretching ahead. The groaning sound from further down the hall was louder now, reverberating through the silence like a warning.
The system interface floated before him, the updated map pulsing faintly. Unit 3A was marked green, but the remaining two units—3C and 3D—remained a foreboding red.
Mission Progress: 1/3 Units Secured
Tip: Beware of elite infected. Certain zones may contain mutated variants with enhanced abilities. Proceed with caution.
Alex's heart sank at the word "mutated."
"Elite infected?" he muttered, his throat dry. "That's not a good sign."
He checked his inventory. The food and water he'd looted were safely stored away, but they wouldn't help him if he got ripped apart. The rusty machete sat unused, its damaged durability making it a last resort.
Alex ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair. "No point in stalling," he muttered, stepping forward.
Unit 3C: A New Danger
The door to Unit 3C was slightly ajar, its frame splintered as though something—or someone—had forced their way inside. A faint scratching sound came from within, accompanied by the occasional wet, squelching noise.
Alex approached cautiously, his crowbar raised. He nudged the door open with his foot, wincing as the hinges creaked loudly. The scratching stopped.
"Hello?" Alex whispered, immediately regretting it.
The room beyond was a chaotic mess. Furniture was overturned, claw marks gouged into the walls and floor. Blood smeared the carpet in long streaks, leading to a corner of the living room where something hunched over, its back turned to him.
Alex froze. The figure was large—much larger than the infected he'd fought so far. Its shoulders were hunched, its spine protruding grotesquely through ragged flesh.
"Mutated…" Alex breathed, his grip on the crowbar tightening.
System Warning
The interface blinked.
Elite Infected Detected: "Crawler"
Danger Level: Medium
Abilities: Enhanced speed, agility, and climbing ability. Weakness: Cranium.
The creature stirred, as though sensing his presence. It rose slowly to its full height, its elongated limbs unfolding unnaturally. Its head tilted to the side, emitting a low, guttural growl.
Alex took a shaky step back. "You've gotta be kidding me…"
The Fight
The crawler turned with terrifying speed, its milky white eyes locking onto Alex. It didn't hesitate, charging at him on all fours like a grotesque animal.
Alex swung the crowbar wildly, the metal bar connecting with its shoulder. The impact barely slowed it down. The creature lashed out with a clawed hand, slicing through Alex's shirt and grazing his ribs.
"Shit!" Alex stumbled back, pain flaring in his side.
The crawler lunged again, this time leaping onto the wall and scrambling toward him like a spider. Alex barely had time to duck as it leapt overhead, landing behind him with a heavy thud.
"You're fast," Alex muttered, his voice shaking. "Fine. Let's see how you handle this."
He kicked the overturned coffee table near his feet, shoving it toward the creature. The sudden motion threw the crawler off balance, forcing it to pause as it snarled in frustration.
Taking advantage of the moment, Alex gripped the crowbar tightly and swung upward with all his strength. The metal bar connected with the side of the creature's head, sending it crashing to the floor.
Critical Hit: 15 Damage.
The crawler snarled, scrambling back to its feet. Blood oozed from a dent in its skull, but it didn't seem to notice. It charged again, faster this time, swiping at Alex with its claws.
Alex ducked under the attack, then shoved the crawler with both hands, sending it tumbling into the wall. Before it could recover, he raised the crowbar and brought it down on its head with a savage yell.
The creature twitched violently, but Alex didn't stop. He swung again and again, adrenaline and desperation fueling his strikes until the crawler finally lay still.
Elite Enemy Eliminated: +50 System Points.
The system chimed in his head as the crawler's mutilated body crumpled into itself.
Alex stumbled back, gasping for breath. His arms felt like lead, and his ribs throbbed where the creature had grazed him.
"That… was too close," he muttered, wiping the blood from his face.
Loot and Securing the Unit
The system pinged again, drawing Alex's attention.
Unit 3C Cleared. Safe Zone Expanded.
Mission Progress: 2/3 Units Secured.
The map updated, marking Unit 3C green. Alex glanced around the apartment, his heart still racing. He needed to find supplies—something to make all of this worth it.
He searched the unit methodically, his crowbar at the ready. Most of the rooms were empty, but in the bedroom closet, he found a small stash of supplies.
Loot Discovered:Basic First Aid KitDuct TapeFlashlight (Batteries Included)
Tip: First Aid Kits can heal minor wounds. Duct Tape can be used for repairs or crafting.
Alex let out a shaky laugh. "Finally, some good news."
He used the First Aid Kit immediately, wrapping his ribs with clean bandages. The pain dulled slightly, enough to keep moving.
As he stuffed the duct tape and flashlight into his inventory, the system spoke again.
Warning: New Threat Approaching.
"What?" Alex froze.
The faint sound of groaning reached his ears, followed by heavy, shuffling footsteps. He peeked out into the hallway and felt his blood run cold.
A group of infected—at least six of them—was shambling toward him from the far end of the corridor.
The Horde Approaches
"Of course it's never easy," Alex muttered, gripping the crowbar tightly.
The infected were slow, but their numbers made them dangerous. Alex's heart pounded as he considered his options.
"I can't fight all of them at once," he thought, glancing at the door to Unit 3D. "But if I can make it inside and block the door…"
The groans grew louder. The infected were getting closer.
Alex took a deep breath, then bolted for Unit 3D.