The dim glow of an old campfire flickered in the square, casting long shadows on the weary faces of the survivors. The once bustling marketplace was now eerily quiet, save for the crackling flames and the occasional groan of the wind through the broken buildings.
Alexia sat apart from the group, sharpening her machete. Her muscles ached from the fight, and her mind churned with the new reality of having temporary allies. Allies the system didn't approve or say anything of----Allies meant complications, she knew that, but this apocalypse wasn't kind for loners.
Marcus, the rifleman she'd pulled out of the fray, approached her with careful steps. His tall frame and steady gaze carried the confidence of someone who'd seen their fair share of horrors. "You didn't have to help us back there," he said, lowering himself to sit across from her.
"Didn't really have a choice, did I?" Alexia replied keeping her tone clipped. "You were a convenient distraction. I couldn't let you die before you finished the job."
Marcus chuckled, though the sound was hollow. "Fair enough. Still, you're not like the others out here, you know what you're doing."
Alexia didn't respond. She continued sharpening the blade, letting the metallic scrape fill the silence between them. Marcus took the hint and leaned back, studying her with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
The rest of the group, a mix of three men and a woman huddled near the fire, whispering amongst themselves. Alexia caught snippets of their conversations: plans to move out before dawn, concerns about food, whispers of distrust towards her.
She couldn't blame them. Trust was dangerous.
The system's voice rang in her head, breaking her train of thoughts:
[Analysis Complete: Survivor Group Dynamics]
Trust Level: Low
Threat Potential: Moderate
Strategic Advantage: High
Alexia smirked. " Helpful as ever," she muttered under her breath.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, standing up and sheathing her machete. She didn't need them thinking she was crazy on top of everything else.
As the night wore on, Alexia listened to the group's stories. Marcus had been a soldier before the apocalypse, and the others--Jamie, Dean, Max and Tanya were a mix of former office workers, students and a mechanic. None of them looked like they had much fight in them, but they were survivors, and that counted for something.
"So, what's your story?" Tanya asked, her sharp eyes fixed on Alexia.
Alexia shrugged, keeping her answers vague. "Not much to tell. Just trying to make it to tomorrow."
Tanya frowned but didn't push further. The group exchanged glances, their unease palpable. Alexia felt it like a tangible weight. She wasn't here to make friends, but she couldn't afford to let paranoia spiral into something worse.
The system interrupted again, this time with a more urgent tone:
[Warning: Hostile Entity Approaching]
Proximity: 500 meters
Type: Unknown
Threat Level: Severe
Alexia tensed, her hand instinctively going to her machete. She scanned the darkened streets, her eyes narrowing. "Something's coming."
Marcus sat up straighter, his rifle already in hand. "What do you mean?"
"Don't ask questions, just get ready." Her voice left no room for argument.
The group scrambled to their feet, weapons at hand. Jamie held a rusted crowbar, Dean had a kitchen knife, and Max nervously gripped a makeshift spear. Tanya clutched a pistol with shaky hands, her knuckles white.
The silence stretched, thick and oppressive. Then they heard it--- a low, guttural growl that seemed to echo in every direction. The sound was unlike anything Alexia had heard before, sending chills down her spine.
From the shadows, a figure emerged.
It was massive, at least seven feet tall, with twisted, sinewy limbs that seemed to shimmer in the faint light. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its jagged teeth glistened with something dark and wet. The creature's movement were unnervingly smooth, almost serpentine, as it stalked toward them.
[Analysis: Mutated Infected]
Classification: Tier 2 Threat
Weakness: Base of Skull
Recommendation: Attack with Precision, Avoid Prolonged Combat
"Great," Alexia muttered. "A boss fight."
The creature lunged without warning, its speed defying its size. The group scattered, each person fighting to stay out of its reach. Alexia rolled to the side, her machete flashing as she aimed for its legs. The blade bit into flesh, but the creature barely flinched.
Marcus fired his rifle, the shots echoing through the square. The bullets struck the creature's chest, but it didn't slow down. Instead, it turned on him, it claws swiping dangerously close.
"Marcus, move!" Alexia shouted, charging at the creature. She aimed for its skull, her machete slicing through the air. The blade connected, but angle off, it didn't penetrate deep enough.
The creature roared, its claws slamming into Alexia and sending her sprawling. Pain exploded in her side, but she forced herself to her feet, gritting her teeth.
"Keep it distracted!" she yelled, her mind racing. The system had said the base of the skull was its weakness, but getting close enough was a gamble.
The group did their best to follower her lead. Marcus fired again, aiming for the creature's head, while Jamie and Dean tried to flank it. Tanya's pistol was fired, the shots wild and erratic but enough to draw the creature's attention.
Alexia saw her chance.
She sprinted towards the creature, her machete raised. As it turned to face her, she dropped into a slide, skidding beneath its massive frame. In one swift motion, she plunged the blade into the base of its skull.
The creature froze, its body trembling. Then it collapsed, its weight shaking the ground as it fell.
For a moment, no one moved, the only sound was the ragged breathing of the survivors.
[Quest Complete: Eliminate Hostile Entity]
Reward: 30 Upgrade Points, Item Unlocked: Adrenaline Boost Injection.
Alexia staggered to her feet, her entire body aching. She glanced at the group, who were staring at her in stunned silence.
"What?" she said, wiping blood from her face. "You're welcome."
Marcus let out a breathless laugh. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Alexia didn't smile. The fight was far from over, but the night was far from safe. She could feel it in her bones.... something worse was coming. She hoped she finds more allies before it comes, and she wasn't alone.
As the group regrouped and tended to any wound, checking if they'd been hit by the creature or if the injury was environment based, Alexia's gaze drifted to the horizon. The cold, unnatural glow from earlier was still there, faint but unwavering.
Whatever was out there, it was waiting. And she was going to find it.