Under the relentless barrage of bullets from the Remington shotgun, the agonized screeches from the spider-woman ceased.
The writhing, fiery silhouette grew still, melting into the flames that surrounded it.
"It's over, kid. That thing's dead…"
George, limping and bruised, approached cautiously. His years as a seasoned officer taught him the fragility of human psychology after a traumatic event. He kept his distance, avoiding any sudden gestures that might startle Eren.
He knew all too well how first-time killers, especially those untrained, could react violently to even a well-meaning touch.
"Ding!"
"Host has killed the aberrant spider-woman, stabilizing the destiny ripple. Awarded 300 Fate Points."
"Dead, huh?"
Eren's tense expression relaxed slightly as he processed the system's confirmation.
Still, a hint of dissatisfaction flickered in his eyes.
300 points? That's it?
The previous encounter with Moonlight DJ had netted him 1,000 Fate Points, while this life-threatening ordeal had earned him only 300.
He couldn't help but feel that Fate itself was being stingy.
But, comparing the two incidents, he realized the difference. The Moonlight DJ incident had involved over a hundred casualties, and he'd only succeeded thanks to the intervention of S.H.I.E.L.D. By contrast, the spider-woman had claimed far fewer lives.
Sighing, Eren muttered inwardly, "Fine. I guess it makes sense. But still, 300 points for risking my life feels like a rip-off."
The fire from the car explosion gradually subsided, consuming all the flammable materials until only faint embers flickered in the darkness.
The parking lot grew dim as the overhead lights, damaged by the grenade's shockwave, remained shattered.
Eren's vision quickly adjusted to the low light, revealing the aftermath of the battle.
The ground was smeared with sticky black liquid that oozed from the remains of the spider-woman. Her once-massive form had been reduced to broken legs, charred flesh, and a pool of dark ichor.
Among the debris, two burnt human corpses hung limply from the spider-woman's remaining limbs.
Then, something caught his eye—a faint glimmer of silver amidst the wreckage.
Eren squinted, spotting a delicate silver thread swaying gently in the dying embers.
Despite the flames licking at it, the thread remained untouched, its pristine shimmer unblemished.
"A treasure?"
Eren's instincts screamed that this thread was extraordinary.
Before he could investigate further, the distant sound of footsteps and muffled voices echoed through the parking lot.
"Hurry up! Let's find out what caused that explosion!"
"I think I heard screaming before the blast. Do you think…"
"Shut your damn mouth! If something happened, we're all in deep trouble!"
The burly leader of the building's security team barked orders as he led a group of guards toward the source of the disturbance.
Each guard carried a flashlight, cutting through the darkness with beams of light.
George frowned as he saw the approaching lights. "Looks like the building security team heard the commotion. Let's go meet them."
He turned and hobbled toward the beams of light. Despite his injuries, his steps were steady.
George didn't want too many people entering the scene before it could be secured. Not only was there the potential for contamination from an unknown virus, but the very existence of the spider-woman could spark panic if news got out.
As George moved, Eren subtly reached out, grabbing the silver thread and slipping it into his pocket.
With the thread safely hidden, he followed George toward the security team.
Neither Eren nor George noticed the pair of hateful eyes glaring at them from the shadows.
The gaze lingered on their retreating backs until they reached the security guards. Only then did it vanish into the darkness.
Minutes later, the wail of sirens pierced the air.
Dozens of police cars, SWAT vehicles, and ambulances converged on the area, flooding the street outside the parking lot.
Uniformed officers and armed SWAT teams moved with purpose, securing the scene as paramedics stood ready to assist.
The once-quiet neighborhood now buzzed with activity, the chaos spilling over as the NYPD launched a full-scale investigation.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]