Jake's gaze was locked on the pack of mutated dogs trailing behind the woman, their slavering jaws snapping hungrily at her. He could hear their growls, feel the tense air around him as the creatures closed in.
His body surged with adrenaline as he gripped his bat tighter, his mind already calculating his next move.
"Huff! Huff!"
The woman was barely able to keep up her pace, stumbling with every step, her breaths ragged as she glanced over her shoulder, terrified. She had no weapon, no means of defending herself—she was just an easy target. Jake couldn't let that happen.
{New Mission Available.}
Jake's mind registered the mission update, but he didn't have time to check the specifics. There was a woman in danger, and the system could wait. He had his own plans for gaining points, but helping her would be a worthy distraction.
Without hesitation, Jake sprinted toward the pack of mutated dogs. The beasts were fast, much faster than the zombies he had faced earlier, but he was faster. They didn't seem to notice him until he was right on top of them.
One of the dogs lunged, it's claws scraping the pavement as it moved to tear into the woman's leg. But Jake was faster. He swung the bat with all his might, smashing it right across the creature's skull. The sound of bone cracking filled the air, and the dog crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
{1 Mutated Creature Killed. Points Earned: 75}
Growl!
Jake didn't pause to check the points. He was already moving, his bat swinging once more as another dog charged at him. This one was larger, its fur matted and spiked like a mane, but Jake's reflexes had already sharpened. He ducked beneath its snapping jaws and swung his bat low, slamming it into the creature's legs.
Grrrrr!
The dog yelped in pain, stumbling before it regained its balance.
Jake didn't give it a chance to recover. He brought the bat down in a vicious arc, cracking it right across the dog's skull.
Owwwwww!
The creature let out a howl before it fell motionless to the ground.
{1 Mutated Creature Killed. Points Earned: 75}
Two down. Jake's eyes moved to the last dog, which was now circling around him. This one was smaller but just as fast, its teeth glinting in the dim light. It lunged, but Jake was prepared.
He sidestepped the attack, feeling a surge of power as the system amplified his movements. The dog missed, its claws scraping through the air as Jake brought the bat up in a sharp, precise strike.
The dog yelped in pain, and with one final blow to its head, it collapsed, its body twitching before going still.
{1 Mutated Creature Killed. Points Earned: 75}
Jake stood over the pack, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Three mutated dogs, all taken down in a matter of seconds. He had no time to savor his victory, though. His focus shifted back to the woman, who was still standing a few feet away, her body trembling in fear.
Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, her expression a mixture of awe and gratitude.
"Thank you," she gasped, her voice shaky. "I thought I was done for…"
Jake gave her a nod, his eyes scanning her appearance. She was in her mid-twenties, with long brown hair that was now disheveled, and her clothes were torn and covered in dirt. But despite the state she was in, there was an undeniable beauty to her—soft features, full lips, and a gaze that held a fire beneath the fear.
"I juat couldn't let you die," Jake said simply, his voice calm as he stepped closer. "Are you alright?"
She took a few steadying breaths before nodding, though she winced slightly as she moved her arm, clearly injured. "I'm fine, just… just a little shaken up. Those things came out of nowhere. I didn't know where to run."
Jake scanned the area, making sure there were no more threats. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he turned his attention back to her. "You're lucky I was nearby. Those things are vicious."
"I know… I was just running, and then they appeared. I couldn't outrun them," she said, shaking her head, as if ashamed of her weakness. "I'm… Emma."
"Jake," he replied, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "You're lucky I was in the right place at the right time. I didn't expect to see mutated dogs here, though. It's a hell of a time to be alive, huh?"
Emma gave a weak laugh, though it was tinged with sadness. "Yeah… and I thought this was all just some nightmare. But it's real. The virus, the monsters... it's all real."
Jake nodded, understanding all too well. "It's real. And it's only going to get worse from here. You should be careful out here. These things won't stop."
Emma's eyes seemed to harden as she looked back at the city, the fear still there but tempered by the realization of what the world had become. "I know. I've lost so much already… my friends, my family. But I can't just sit and wait to die."
"I don't think any of us can," Jake said, his gaze hardening. "That's why I'm out here. I've got a plan. You should come with me. Safety in numbers, right?"
Emma looked at him with a curious expression. "You don't know me. Why would you want to team up with me?"
Jake met her gaze, his face serious. "Because we both want the same thing. Survival."
She was quiet for a moment before she nodded. "Alright. I'll come with you."
Jake smiled, though it was brief. He wasn't one for trust easily, but there was something about her—something that made him feel like she could be an asset. Maybe even more.
"Good," Jake said. "We'll get you patched up. There's a safe house nearby. We'll head there, get some rest, and plan our next move."
As they began to walk, Jake couldn't help but notice the way Emma moved—her grace despite the exhaustion, the way her eyes constantly scanned their surroundings. She wasn't just a survivor; she was a fighter.
Returning to his usual place, Jake reunited with Ava.
"Jake! You are here." Seeing him returning, Ava came running towards him, "And you found a survivor."
"Yes, I saved her." Jake replied.
"You did the right thing." Ava said and came near Emma, "Hi, I am Ava."
"It's nice to meet you, I am Emma."