The Birth of a King
1452 Words
WHAAAM!!
The collision sent a powerful shockwave across the courtyard.
Arthur was thrown backward several meters before barely managing to stop himself.
The Bone Claw Mutant, however, merely slid back one step.
The difference in strength was obvious.
The survivors' faces turned pale.
"How can that thing be so strong?"
"It's impossible!"
The mutant let out a low growl. Its blood-red eyes stared at Arthur with murderous intent.
Then it smiled again.
It was mocking him.
Arthur wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
This thing was definitely stronger than him.
But he couldn't retreat.
Behind him were dozens of survivors.
Among them were Aiko and Yuna.
If he lost...
Everyone would die.
ROOOOAR!
The mutant charged again.
Its massive claw tore through the air.
Arthur immediately activated the Thunder Pistol.
Bang!
Blue lightning exploded against the mutant's shoulder.
For the first time, the creature let out a painful roar.
"It works!"
Arthur's eyes lit up.
Electric attacks seemed effective.
However, before he could celebrate—
Boom!
The mutant suddenly appeared in front of him.
Too fast!
Arthur barely crossed his arms.
BANG!
The impact sent him crashing into a parked car.
Metal bent inward.
Pain shot through his entire body.
"Arthur!"
Aiko instinctively tried to run toward him.
Yuna quickly grabbed her.
"You can't go!"
"But he's hurt!"
Tears had already appeared in Aiko's eyes.
The sight made Yuna sigh.
She looked back at Arthur.
Even though she was worried too, she knew Arthur would never forgive himself if Aiko got injured.
Meanwhile, Arthur slowly stood up.
His entire body ached.
The monster was stronger and faster than expected.
DING!
---
Warning!
Host health reduced to 65%.
---
Arthur cursed inwardly.
This was bad.
Very bad.
The mutant slowly approached him.
Its footsteps alone made the ground tremble.
Then—
It suddenly spoke.
"...Weak."
Everyone froze.
The survivors looked horrified.
"It... talked?"
"What kind of monster is this?"
The mutant raised its claw.
"...You die."
Boom!
It charged again.
Arthur immediately rolled to the side.
CRASH!
The car behind him was split in half.
Cold sweat covered his back.
If that attack had landed—
He would have died instantly.
Arthur fired several shots.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Blue lightning exploded continuously.
The mutant blocked with its arms.
Its skin became charred, but the injuries quickly healed.
Regeneration again.
Arthur frowned.
Every strong mutation seemed to possess regeneration abilities.
Suddenly—
DING!
---
Hidden Condition Triggered.
Leadership recognized.
Special Skill Available:
【Battle Command】
Would you like to learn?
---
Arthur almost laughed.
Now?
During a battle?
"Yes!"
A stream of information entered his mind.
Immediately, he understood how to use the skill.
He looked toward the frightened survivors.
An idea appeared.
"Everyone!"
His loud voice attracted everyone's attention.
"Use the metal pipes!"
"What?"
"Hit its legs!"
The survivors looked confused.
Arthur quickly continued.
"It can regenerate, but its movements will slow if enough damage accumulates!"
The middle-aged man gritted his teeth.
"Everyone heard him!"
"If we don't fight, we're all dead anyway!"
Several men nodded.
Soon, more than ten survivors picked up metal rods and makeshift weapons.
For the first time—
They fought back.
ROAR!
The mutant became furious.
A man smashed a pipe against its leg.
Bang!
Another struck its back.
Although the attacks caused little damage, they distracted the creature.
Arthur's eyes lit up.
This was his chance.
He immediately rushed forward.
Slash!
The machete cut deeply into the mutant's knee.
ROOOOAR!
The creature staggered.
"Again!"
More attacks landed.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The survivors shouted as they fought.
Fear slowly turned into courage.
They finally realized—
The monster could bleed.
It wasn't invincible.
DING!
---
Battle Command activated.
Morale increased.
All allies gain minor strength enhancement.
---
Arthur blinked.
The survivors suddenly felt stronger.
Their movements became more coordinated.
Even the middle-aged man looked shocked.
"What is this feeling?"
Arthur smiled slightly.
So this was a leadership skill.
Interesting.
The mutant suddenly roared in anger.
Dark-red veins appeared all over its body.
Its muscles began swelling.
DING!
---
Warning!
The Bone Claw Mutant has entered Berserk State.
All attributes increased.
---
Arthur's expression changed.
"...Seriously?"
The mutant suddenly swung its arm.
BANG!
Three survivors were sent flying.
"Aaaaah!"
Blood splattered everywhere.
Panic returned instantly.
The creature charged toward the survivors.
Its target—
A little girl hiding near the apartments.
The child froze in fear.
Arthur's eyes widened.
"No!"
He immediately sprinted forward.
At the same time—
Aiko also ran.
"Arthur!"
Everything happened too quickly.
The mutant's massive claw descended.
The little girl began crying.
Then—
A figure suddenly stood in front of her.
It was Aiko.
Everyone froze.
Arthur's pupils contracted.
"AIKO!"
The mutant's claw was already falling.
Without thinking—
Arthur pushed himself beyond his limits.
Golden light erupted around him.
His speed suddenly doubled.
Boom!
He appeared beside Aiko.
He pulled her into his arms.
CRASH!
The claw barely missed them and smashed into the ground.
The shockwave threw both of them several meters away.
Arthur landed on top of Aiko, protecting her.
Silence.
For a moment—
Neither moved.
Aiko slowly opened her eyes.
Arthur's face was only inches away.
She could feel his breathing.
His heartbeat.
And his arms tightly protecting her.
"...Arthur?"
Arthur slowly looked down.
"Are you hurt?"
Again.
Even now—
He was worrying about her.
Aiko's cheeks immediately turned red.
"N-No..."
Arthur sighed in relief.
"Good."
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment—
The battlefield seemed to disappear.
Yuna stared at them.
Then smiled helplessly.
"They really are hopeless."
Suddenly—
ROOOOOAR!
The mutant's furious roar broke the atmosphere.
Arthur quickly stood up and pulled Aiko to her feet.
The latter's face was still red.
She avoided looking directly at him.
Arthur himself also felt slightly awkward.
However—
There was no time for romance.
The mutant had completely lost its mind.
It charged again.
The ground cracked beneath its feet.
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
Enough.
This battle had gone on long enough.
He slowly raised the Thunder Pistol.
Then—
An idea appeared.
The vehicles.
Gasoline.
Electricity.
He suddenly smiled.
The mutant frowned.
For some reason—
It had a bad feeling.
Arthur looked at the survivors.
"Everyone!"
"Get back!"
Although confused, everyone obeyed immediately.
Arthur then pointed toward the overturned cars.
"Come."
The mutant roared in anger and charged.
Five meters.
Four.
Three.
Arthur remained calm.
Two.
One.
Now.
Bang!
The Thunder Pistol fired.
The bullet struck a leaking fuel tank.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion engulfed the entire courtyard.
Flames shot into the sky.
The shockwave forced everyone backward.
The mutant let out a horrible scream.
ROOOOOAR!!!
Its entire body was burning.
Arthur did not hesitate.
He rushed through the flames.
His machete glowed with blue electricity from the Thunder Pistol.
"Die!"
Slash!
The blade cut directly into the mutant's neck.
Crack.
The creature froze.
Its eyes widened.
Then—
Its massive head slowly fell.
Thud.
Silence.
The entire shelter became quiet.
Everyone stared blankly.
The terrifying monster...
was dead.
DING!
---
Bone Claw Mutant Eliminated!
Experience +200.
Level Up!
Level Up!
Host has reached Level 5.
---
Golden light surrounded Arthur.
Warm energy flowed through his body.
His injuries healed rapidly.
At the same time—
A loud cheer suddenly erupted.
"We won!"
"The monster is dead!"
"We survived!"
Some survivors cried.
Others laughed.
Children hugged their parents.
Aiko looked at Arthur.
Her eyes became gentle.
Under the moonlight—
Covered in blood and standing before everyone—
Arthur looked different.
Like a true leader.
Like someone worthy of being followed.
DING!
---
Hidden Title Acquired:
【The Shelter Guardian】
Effects:
+20% Trust from Survivors.
+10% Leadership.
Higher chance of attracting followers.
---
The middle-aged man slowly stepped forward.
Then—
He knelt.
"Thank you..."
One by one—
The other survivors followed.
Soon—
Everyone was kneeling before Arthur.
Their eyes were filled with gratitude and hope.
Arthur stood there in silence.
Only yesterday—
He had been an ordinary office worker.
Now—
People were entrusting their lives to him.
A cold night wind blew through the courtyard.
Arthur slowly looked toward the burning city.
The apocalypse had only begun.
Stronger enemies would come.
More monsters.
More battles.
But for the first time—
He no longer felt alone.
Because behind him—
People were waiting for him to lead them.
And beside him—
Aiko quietly smiled.
For some reason, seeing her smile made Arthur relax.
Perhaps...
No matter how cruel this world became—
There would still be things worth protecting.
Far away, hidden within the darkness—
Several pairs of glowing eyes slowly opened.
Watching.
Observing.
Waiting.
The true apocalypse...
had finally begun.
- Writer
