The Intelligent Mutant
994 Words
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Each footstep felt like a hammer striking the ground.
The entire electronics store trembled.
Broken glass slid across the floor.
Yuna's face had already turned pale.
"W-What kind of monster is this...?"
Arthur slowly walked toward the shattered window.
Outside, a gigantic figure stood in the middle of the street.
It was nearly three meters tall.
Unlike ordinary zombies, its body was not rotten.
Its muscles were dark red, and strange black veins covered its skin.
Most horrifying of all—
Its eyes were calm.
Intelligent.
The creature was observing the building.
Observing them.
DING!
---
Appraisal Activated
Name: Unknown Mutation
Rank: E
Danger Level: Extremely High
Description:
An evolved intelligent mutant.
Warning:
Host survival probability: 12%.
---
Arthur's expression became ugly.
Only twelve percent?
This thing was stronger than anything he had encountered.
Then—
The mutant slowly smiled.
A chill ran down everyone's spine.
"It... smiled..."
Aiko's voice trembled.
Monsters were not supposed to smile.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
The creature kicked a car.
The vehicle flew through the air and crashed into the electronics store.
Glass shattered everywhere.
The women screamed.
The mutant slowly began walking toward the entrance.
Arthur immediately made a decision.
"We can't fight it."
"What?"
"We run."
The monster was too strong.
And more importantly—
It was intelligent.
That made it far more dangerous.
Boom!
The front wall exploded.
The mutant stepped inside.
Its red eyes locked onto Arthur.
Then—
It spoke.
"...Interesting."
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Yuna nearly fainted.
Aiko's body trembled.
It could talk.
Arthur's heart sank.
The apocalypse was evolving too quickly.
The mutant tilted its head.
"You... smell different."
Arthur slowly tightened his grip on the Thunder Pistol.
The creature looked directly into his eyes.
"I want... your power."
DING!
---
Emergency Mission Activated!
Survive the Intelligent Mutant.
Reward:
- Level Up
- Random Skill
- Mystery Item
Failure:
Death.
---
Arthur almost cursed.
Survive?
Even the system knew he couldn't defeat it.
The mutant suddenly disappeared.
Too fast!
Arthur's pupils contracted.
Bang!
He barely raised his arm in time.
A powerful punch sent him flying.
Crash!
He smashed through several shelves.
Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
"Arthur!"
The mutant slowly approached.
Its expression contained curiosity.
"Strong..."
"But weak."
Arthur gritted his teeth.
This thing was playing with him.
He raised the Thunder Pistol.
Bang!
A bolt of blue lightning shot forward.
The mutant frowned.
Boom!
The shot exploded against its shoulder.
For the first time—
It took a step back.
Arthur's eyes widened.
It worked.
The wound on the mutant's shoulder was smoking.
The creature looked down.
Then smiled.
"...Interesting."
Arthur suddenly had a bad feeling.
Crack.
Crack.
The wound slowly healed.
"..."
"..."
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Regeneration.
Again.
The mutant slowly looked up.
"I'll take... your power."
Boom!
It charged.
Arthur fired repeatedly.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Blue lightning exploded everywhere.
The mutant blocked with its arms.
Even though it was injured, it continued advancing.
Arthur's face turned pale.
This thing was ridiculous.
Suddenly—
"Arthur!"
Aiko threw something toward him.
One of the fire grenades from the supply crate.
Arthur immediately caught it.
An idea appeared.
"Get down!"
The two women instantly ducked.
Arthur waited.
Five meters.
Four.
Three.
Two.
The mutant jumped.
Now!
Arthur activated the grenade and fired the Thunder Pistol.
Bang!
The bullet struck the grenade midair.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted.
Flames swallowed the mutant.
The entire store shook violently.
Silence.
Smoke filled the area.
Arthur breathed heavily.
Did it work?
Then—
A figure slowly emerged from the flames.
The mutant's body was burned.
One arm had been severely damaged.
Yet—
It was still alive.
However...
Its smile had disappeared.
Its expression had become cold.
"...Pain."
Arthur's heart sank.
He had made it angry.
The creature looked directly at him.
"...You die."
Boom!
The floor exploded beneath its feet.
Its speed doubled.
Arthur barely reacted.
Bang!
A terrifying punch struck his stomach.
"UGH!"
He coughed blood.
His body flew across the room.
Several ribs broke instantly.
DING!
---
Warning!
Host health critical.
---
Arthur struggled to stand.
Everything hurt.
He couldn't win.
At this rate—
He would die.
Then—
DING!
---
Special Condition Met.
Host facing mortal danger.
King Candidate Trial Activated.
Would you like to proceed?
YES / NO
---
Arthur froze.
King Candidate?
What was that?
The mutant was already approaching.
He had no choice.
YES.
Immediately—
A tremendous amount of information flooded his mind.
Pain exploded inside his head.
AAAAAH!
Arthur screamed.
The mutant stopped.
A strange aura began surrounding Arthur.
Golden light appeared in his eyes.
DING!
---
Unique Skill Unlocked:
【King's Aura Lv.1】
Effect:
Intimidates weaker enemies.
Increases leadership affinity.
Minor increase to all stats.
---
Boom.
A powerful pressure spread throughout the room.
Even the mutant stopped moving.
For the first time—
Fear appeared in its eyes.
"...Impossible."
Arthur slowly stood up.
His injuries had partially healed.
Golden energy surrounded his body.
The mutant took a step back.
"You..."
Its expression changed drastically.
"...A Candidate?"
Arthur frowned.
Candidate?
Candidate for what?
Unfortunately—
The mutant suddenly roared.
"No!"
Boom!
It turned around and fled.
Everyone froze.
The terrifying monster...
was running away.
Within seconds, it had disappeared.
Silence filled the electronics store.
Arthur blinked.
"...It ran?"
Aiko and Yuna looked equally confused.
DING!
---
Emergency Mission Completed.
Survival Successful.
Rewards Granted.
Host has leveled up.
Level: 3.
---
Arthur finally relaxed.
Then—
His legs gave out.
He collapsed.
"Arthur!"
The two women immediately rushed toward him.
His vision slowly blurred.
The last thing he saw—
Was the sky outside turning strangely red.
Then—
A massive mechanical voice echoed across the entire world.
---
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT
The First King Candidate has appeared.
Phase Two of the Apocalypse will begin in seven days.
Please survive.
---
Silence.
Then—
Screams erupted throughout Tokyo.
Arthur's eyes slowly widened.
Phase Two?
This...
was only the beginning?
- Writer
