Chapter 16: The Armory Raid
Alex's instincts screamed at him to head straight for the Genesis Control Core, but his experience told him otherwise. Going into an unknown situation underprepared was a death sentence.
He opened his map, zooming in on the armory's location. It was three floors up, at the far end of the north wing. The path was crawling with infected, but the promise of better gear was worth the risk.
"Alright, armory first," Alex muttered, double-checking his pistol and crowbar. "I just hope it's worth it."
The Climb
The stairwell was eerily quiet as Alex ascended, his footsteps muffled by the grime-covered steps. The system pinged every so often, warning him of infected moving nearby.
He stopped at the entrance to Floor 3, peeking through the small window in the door. The corridor beyond was dimly lit, with overturned furniture and dried blood splattered across the walls.
His Survival Instincts activated, highlighting two infected lurking just beyond the door.
Enemy Count: 2 (Standard Walkers). Danger Level: Low.
Alex eased the door open, creeping toward the nearest walker. It stood with its back to him, swaying slightly as it sniffed the air.
With one swift motion, Alex brought his crowbar down on its head, the sickening crunch echoing through the hallway. The second infected turned at the noise, letting out a guttural snarl before lunging at him.
Alex sidestepped, slamming the crowbar into its temple. The infected crumpled to the ground, twitching before going still.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
Current SP: 110 SP.
"Still not enough for another upgrade," Alex muttered, wiping the blood off his crowbar.
Corridor of Death
The closer Alex got to the armory, the worse the scene became. Bodies—both human and infected—were scattered across the floor, some burned beyond recognition.
The system pinged again, but this time, the notification carried a sense of urgency:
Warning: Enemy Group Detected.
Enemy Count: 5 (3 Standard Walkers, 2 Enhanced Walkers). Danger Level: Moderate.
Alex cursed under his breath. Enhanced Walkers were tougher, faster, and smarter than their shambling counterparts. Taking on five enemies at once was a gamble, but the narrow hallway left him with no choice.
He scanned his surroundings, spotting a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall. An idea sparked in his mind.
"Let's see how you like this," he said, grabbing the extinguisher.
As the infected rounded the corner, Alex pulled the pin and aimed the nozzle. A burst of white foam erupted, obscuring their vision and slowing their movements.
He took advantage of the chaos, rushing forward to dispatch the Standard Walkers with precise blows to their heads.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
The Enhanced Walkers snarled, pushing through the foam with surprising speed. One swiped at Alex, forcing him to duck and roll away. The second lunged, its claws scraping against his shoulder.
Health: 85%.
Gritting his teeth, Alex drew his pistol and fired two shots at the nearest Enhanced Walker. The first shot hit its leg, slowing it down, while the second pierced its skull.
The final infected roared in fury, charging at Alex with reckless abandon. He sidestepped at the last second, bringing his crowbar down on the back of its neck. The Enhanced Walker collapsed, its body twitching before going still.
Enhanced Walker Eliminated: +30 SP.
Enhanced Walker Eliminated: +30 SP.
Current SP: 180 SP.
Breathing heavily, Alex leaned against the wall, his hands trembling.
"That… was too close," he muttered, reloading his pistol.
The Armory
After what felt like an eternity, Alex reached the armory. The heavy steel door was locked, but the keyring he'd found earlier had a matching tag. He inserted the key, turning it with a satisfying click.
The door creaked open, revealing rows of weapon racks and supply crates. Alex's eyes widened as he stepped inside, scanning the room.
Loot Acquired:
Shotgun (6/6 Shells)
Military-Grade Armor Vest
Grenades (x2)
Ammunition: 9mm Rounds (x30), Shotgun Shells (x12)
Medkit (x1)
"Jackpot," Alex said, strapping on the armor vest. The added weight was a small price to pay for the protection it offered.
He slung the shotgun over his shoulder and pocketed the grenades, feeling more prepared than ever.
The system chimed with a new notification:
Equipment Bonus Applied:
Military-Grade Armor Vest: Reduces incoming damage by 30%.
A Grim Discovery
As Alex rummaged through the remaining crates, he found a bloodstained notebook tucked beneath a pile of ammo. The handwriting was shaky, but he could still make out the words.
"They told us the armory was safe, but the infected… they kept evolving. We tried to fight back, but nothing worked. If you're reading this, don't trust the higher-ups. They knew. They always knew."
Alex clenched his jaw, crumpling the page in his fist. Every clue he found only deepened the mystery—and the betrayal.
The system chimed again, pulling him from his thoughts.
Objective Updated:
Return to the Stairwell and Proceed to the Genesis Control Core.
"Guess it's time to finish this," Alex said, loading his shotgun.
Back into the Fray
Fully armed and armored, Alex made his way back to the stairwell. The infected roaming the halls didn't stand a chance against his new gear. Each shotgun blast echoed like thunder, cutting through the walkers with brutal efficiency.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
Walker Eliminated: +10 SP.
By the time he reached the stairwell, his SP total had risen to 210.
Standing at the base of the stairs leading to the Genesis Control Core, Alex took a deep breath. Whatever waited for him up there, he was ready.
"Let's end this," he said, stepping into the unknown.