On the first floor.
The layout of this floor is different compared to the floors above.
It has a larger corridor and there is a lot of empty space starting from the stairs to the center of the floor. There are only a few rooms on either side. Of the floor. Except for that, the rest is an empty space.
There are only a few entry points to the floor.
The first one is the stairway from the second floor, a group of Level 0 Unfinished mutants are waiting there with rocks.
The second one is the stairway from the ground floor. The same set of monsters is enough to cover that as well.
The third and fourth are the windows on either end of the corridor. One has to climb from outside of the building to get in there. Still, four monsters are keeping watch on these windows on either side. And they are all Level 0.5 Mutated humans.
Finally, the last one is the elevator, which is obviously not working. Still, there are two monsters standing there, staring at the elevator dumbly.
Monitoring all of them is one creature in the middle.
It is different compared to all the other creatures. It is a bit taller than a normal human and its muscles are a lot more defined as well. But it didn't appear overgrown or distorted like the other mutated humans.
No fangs are poking out of its mouth and there are no bulged out eyes. It looked like a regular human. Except for the grey-colored body and the red-colored hair. The monster walked from one end of the corridor to the other with a sword in its hand.
When that monster is at the extreme end farthest from the elevator…
*CREAK*
With a small creaking sound, a tiny gap appeared in the elevator door.
The two monsters guarding the elevator door looked at it, but they couldn't comprehend what is happening.
*CREAK*
The metal sound intensified, just for a moment. The creature at the end of the corridor heard the sound faintly and started walking back.
*SLIDE*
The elevator door finally opened with a big enough gap for a person to fit. From that gap, a hand poked out of the bottom with a rebar and stabbed in the foot of the Level 0 Mutated human (failed) monster.
*GRRRRRRRRR*
The monster growled loudly and stepped back. Its foot dragged the rebar, along with the hand holding it and in turn the owner of the arm.
Ayaan without putting much effort came out. He was lying on the floor with the rebar, his only weapon still stuck in the foot of the monster.
He slid to the side and kicked the second monster in the knee making it collapse.
The monster fell headfirst into the foot of the first monster, stabbing itself in the eye.
[Exp +1]
Along with the notification, Ayaan glimpsed at the time.
[00:04:12]
More than six minutes wasted. He got up and pulled the rebar out.
*SWOOSH*
The punch of the injured monster grazed past his cheek. A burning feeling numbed his face as blood lightly dripped from the wound. Ayaan ignored it and stabbed the rebar into the eye of the monster and then kicked it while pulling the rebar out.
[Exp +1]
The two creatures disappeared in a puff of twinkling red sparks.
All the monsters turned towards him. Ayaan looked at the monster that was holding the sword.
Level 1: Mutated Human (Complete)
The first level 1 monster appeared in front of him, and it was running towards him. However, he didn't wait there. He ran in the opposite direction, to the other end of the corridor, where four level 0.5 monsters were guarding the window.
'Four monsters. 0.5 level. Four minutes.'
He started calculating as he ran towards them.
'Two monsters on either side. Two at the front and two at the back.'
'Deceive'
He aimed at the monster on the left, but when it dodged to the side instead of proceeding with the attack, Ayaan's weight shifted and the direction of the rebar changed. The swing turned to a stab as it went directly into the ear of the monster on the right.
*BAM*
At the same time, he kicked the monster off the left, slamming it into the wall.
Before it could get up, he pulled out the rebar and slammed it on the back of its head. In a single motion, he continued the swing, turning around and giving a backhanded stab to the third monster and gave it a kick.
[Exp+1.5]
[Exp+1.5]
[Exp+1.5]
Three notifications rang one after another. He pulled the rebar and stabbed the throat of the fourth monster.
At that moment, his eyes widened and his hair stood on its end. He turned, facing his back towards the window and pulling the monster to his front.
*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*
Several rocks flew towards him. The monster acted as a good meat shield. The rocks came at unbelievable speed. They ripped the chunks off of the monster's body upon impact.
Ayaan suddenly pulled the rebar and kicked the monster's body.
*THWACK*
A sword blade penetrated its flesh and passed through, almost reaching Ayaan.
*BAM*
The Level 1 mutated human who stabbed the monster's corpse kicked it. The corpse slammed into Ayaan.
His eyes widened as he felt the brunt of the impact. He crashed and slid on the ground, almost reaching the end of the corridor.
[HP-10]
On an indirect hit he lost ten percent of his health.
Ayaan stood up hurriedly. He didn't want to get caught by these monsters while lying on the floor. He gave a quick check on the opponents.
In front of him, there are 18 monsters. 14 Level 0 failed mutated humans, and 4 Level 0.5 mutated humans. Leading these eighteen monsters is the Level 1 Mutated human.
'19 monsters. Controlled and led by an intelligent leader.'
'Narrow corridor'
'Back against the window.'
'Only three exits. Go through the window and jump down. Fall from the first floor into the road with unknown variables.
Go into the room on the left. Monster follows and ends up with a brawl.
Go into the room on the right. Monsters follow and end up with a brawl.'
'If I stay here? Monsters swarm me, it will end up in a brawl.'
He weighed his options.
00:02:12
'Two minutes.'
As he was about to make a decision, the Level 1 monster took a step back. There is a smirk on its face. The level 0 and level 0.5 monsters stepped forward and blocked the doors on the left and right. On top of that, the remaining stood in front of the Level 1 monster.
The monster made the decision for him.
Ayaan took a deep breath. His mind became clearer than ever. Only when there are choices, there will be confusion, now that it's not there…
The expression of contemplation is gone,the only thing left in his eyes is determined will. He took a glance at his feet, he picked up a smaller rebar piece.
There is no need for hesitation anymore.
'Observe, act and survive'
He charged forward.
*GRRRR*
*ROAR*
The monsters growled and roared as they ran towards him.
*SWOOSH* *THWAK*
The smaller rebar flew off his hand with surprisingly unnatural precision. The monster in the lead dodged it, but the master at the back couldn't.
It entered the monster's mouth and got stuck in its throat.
Ayaan swung his rebar at the monster that dodged the first attack. In dodging, it left itself way too open.
The rebar landed on its eyes. Ayaan could feel the sockets breaking and the eyes getting crushed. The monster fell down.
He stepped on of its hands and swung the rebar at the second monster. As if in a uniform motion, he brought the swing back and stabbed a monster on the side with the back of the rebar, pushing it against the wall.
*BAM*
He kicked the now-blinded monster in the throat, making it sure it wouldn't get up. With the same leg, he gave a high kick to the monster that had the smaller rebar stuck in its throat.
It landed precisely on the rebar, pushing the metal piece to the other side killing the monster. The fall of the monster disrupted the flow.
Taking this to his advantage, he finished the blinded monster and followed it up with another.
'Faster'
'Sharper'
'Smaller'
'Be precise'
*BANG* *BANG* *THWACK* *THWACK*
His movements became faster, his breathing more even and his eyes colder with every passing second. He brushed past the monster's attacks in that narrow space. He didn't completely dodge them, but none of the attacks hit the critical spots.
They barely grazed his skin, leaving small slashes all over.
[Exp+1] [HP -3]
Notifications kept on ringing. But he didn't care. He is in his zone.
He is just killing everything in his path and in doing so, he is stepping forward.
The monsters didn't stand a chance. Despite their moves being more accurate, more precise, and more calculated, they still fell.
'Kill'
'Kill'
'Kill'
That's what's ringing in his mind.
'Kill'
'Kill'
'Kill'
'BLOCK'
Ayaan swiftly turned around and swung his rebar.
*BANG*
The sound of the metal rang in his ears as his hands vibrated. The level 1 monster is standing in front of him. Its sword is stuck in the rebar.
Ayaan looked at the point of contact. The sword is so sharp and strong, to the point it almost cut through the rebar diagonally.
It is barely intact.
The monster looked at Ayaan dead in his eyes and smirked before it started pushing the sword forward.
*SWOOSH*
The rebar is cut in two, Ayaan lost the defence, but he didn't panic. Not even a single hint of hesitation was shown. The world seemed to have slowed down and he could hear the sound of the ticking clock.
00:00:02
00:00:01
00:00:00
The monster froze in its spot. The blade of the sword, just a couple of centimeters away from Ayaan's neck. One second more and he would have felt that sharp blade passing through his bone and flesh.
A screen appeared before Ayaan's eyes.
==============================
QUEST COMPLETED!
==============================
Congratulations, Ayaan Rakshit!
You have successfully completed the Tutorial Quest:
**"Survive for 30 minutes"**
==============================
QUEST SUMMARY
==============================
- Total Kills: 72
- EXP Gained: +76.5
==============================
REWARDS EARNED
==============================
- Level Up (+1)
- All Stats +2
==============================
Would you like to exit the tutorial?
[Yes]
[No]
==============================
One choice and he is out of there. Ayaan took a deep breath. His mind calmed down. He survived, his quest completed.
He can get out immediately. His gaze hovered on the Yes button and then it shifted to the No button.
He observed his current state. His arms are aching, each movement felt heavier. His back is sore. His breathing is heavy and labored. There are at least ten wounds on his body, all on the surface level, but the initial numbness is gone and they are burning.
He couldn't see his stat screen now, but he knew he accumulated fatigue. He doesn't know how long he can continue if the fight went on.
'Yes' is the obvious choice.
'Never settle for the minimum'
He muttered to himself and chose No.
Time resumed and…
*SLASH* *SPURT*
The sword cut through Ayaan's flesh.