The gym reeked of dust and old sweat. In the far corner, a trophy case lay shattered—golden symbols of old victories now covered in ash and blood. Marcus crouched beside the doors, Danny sleeping fitfully behind him, twitching every few minutes as the mutation warred with what was left of his mind.
Marcus didn't dare close his eyes.
Instead, he stared at the glowing system panel hovering in his vision like a floating HUD. It wasn't just a voice—it was intelligent, reactive. Alive, almost.
[Skill Tree: Adaptive Evolution – Tier I]Active Skill: [Tactile Memory] – 1/5 Uses Remaining (24hr Cooldown)Passive Boosts:– Reflex Efficiency: +15%– Pain Suppression (Lvl 1)– Minor Regeneration (Lvl 1)
[Survival Tip #003: Adaptation Requires Application. Test New Abilities To Level Up.]
"So… use it or lose it," Marcus muttered.
He stood and walked toward the weight room. Everything was smashed or half-melted. Dumbbells fused together. A rusted barbell bent like a bow. But in the back corner, half-buried under collapsed ceiling tiles, he found a fire axe still lodged in its emergency case.
His fingers brushed the handle.
[Tactile Memory Engaged]Analyzing Object: Industrial Fire Axe… Confirmed.]Combat Proficiency: Basic – 100% Synced]
Information slammed into his brain like a downloaded memory. Weight distribution, swing arc, kill radius. His stance shifted automatically, legs adjusting to balance the tool as if he'd been training with it for years.
He took a deep breath. The axe felt right in his hands. Natural.
"I think I'm starting to get the rules," he whispered to no one.
That's when the banging started.
It came from the locker room. Not a full-body charge—no, this was something slower. More deliberate. Claws scraping, pacing, testing the metal door like a wolf sniffing at a rabbit den.
Marcus stepped between the noise and Danny.
[Hostile Presence Detected: Mutated Canine – Genus Unknown][Behavioral Pattern: Pack Scout][Status: Hunting]
Then a second sound joined the first. Another set of claws. Then a third.
[Update: Multiple Entities Detected – Recommend Immediate Action]
Marcus weighed his options. The gym had only two exits: the front doors (now barricaded with snapped bleachers) and the locker room hallway. If he waited, they'd break through. If he attacked first…
"I pick the battlefield," he said, gripping the axe.
He slipped through the side door of the gym, moving silently toward the locker hallway. His breathing slowed. The system highlighted his path like a tactical overlay—dark corners, loose tiles, best ambush spots.
The first creature burst through the locker door—a twisted dog-like thing with no eyes and gaping slits along its sides that opened and closed like gills. Its jaw unhinged with a wet pop.
Marcus didn't hesitate.
The axe swung in a clean arc, powered by instinct and system-guided muscle memory. The blade sank into the thing's skull. It collapsed mid-lunge, twitching violently.
The second one appeared behind it, smaller but faster. It leapt—
Marcus rolled sideways, spun on one knee, and brought the axe up in time to cleave its leg midair. It screamed—high and shrill—and Marcus slammed the blade down again, silencing it.
Blood steamed on the gym floor. But it wasn't over.
The third one didn't attack.
It stared at him from the shadows, sniffed the air—then turned and ran.
"Wait—what?"
[Warning: Entity Has Escaped][Note: Scout-Type Mutants May Transmit Target Data to Hive Cluster]
"Oh, hell no."
He rushed after it—but the thing was already gone, vanishing into the ruined halls like smoke in wind. The gym suddenly felt colder.
He turned back to Danny, who was now wide awake and staring.
"I saw you," the boy croaked. "You moved like… like them. But better."
Marcus didn't reply. He didn't have the words. Not yet.
[New Trait Unlocked: Predator Recognition – Tier I][Mutants Now Perceive User As A Rival Alpha][Increased Aggression / Submission Based on Evolution Level Differential]
"So they're either going to worship me," Marcus muttered, "or tear me to shreds trying."
Outside, the wind howled, and the red clouds boiled again—darker this time.
Something was coming.
Something big.
And this time, it wouldn't be hunting alone.