I scrambled across the floor as I repeatedly fell, got back up and threw myself to safety as the creature continued to wail and throw it’s arms at me.
The building shook with each blow it received, creating massive holes in the walls. Throwing myself through one of the holes I entered a hallway. I recognise this place as the area only players, coaches, referees and VIPs could enter.
Despite the sickening feeling of my ears being destroyed and my balance shot I still maintained some semblance of thought.
Survive.
That was the only thing in my mind.
The creature followed me into the hallway by smashing its body through the same hole I went through. This time however, the hole became three times larger after the creature was done with it. I sprinted as best I could down the hallway. I must’ve looked like a drunken sailor weathering a storm as I ran. The dizziness and nauseating feeling I was experiencing was horrific.
All the while as I ran, the creature continued screaming as it followed. The hallway was wider than the changing shed but also had a slightly lower ceiling. Therefore, the creatures movements were more restricted… but… that just made it more terrifying.
Turning back to see how much space I have, the warped dizzy image of the creature following shook me to my core.
Crouched like a spider the creature and using its four limbs that were stretched out pressing against the walls, the creature followed me as fast as it could. It’s mouth still open, screaming, but at this point my hearing was destroyed and I could no longer hear its wails.
“[Incarnat]!”
I threw a fireball at it and even upped the power a bit. Even if the fireball didn’t scratch it, surely it would slow it down some.
But to my surprise, the creature stopped. It’s five eyes widened in terror as it used its limbs to stop itself, somewhat resembling a dog. A big, scary dog.
It tried to back up, but before it could the fireball hit it, exploding in a fiery mass, scorching the walls and ceiling. The creature tumbled and screamed as flames engulfed its body.
It didn’t take a genius to realise my spell was more effective than I thought it would be so… what did I do?
“[Incarnat]!”
“[Incarnat]!”
“[Incarnat]!”
“[Incarnat]!”
I cast it again…
And again…
And again…
Until the flailing creature was reduced to nothing but ashes.
I was shocked by the effectiveness of my spell. I knew that I could use it in combat but I wasn’t expecting it to be so useful against… that thing.
After standing there looking at the burn marks and ashes on the floor that used to be that creature I start walking towards it. My balance is still terrible but I am getting used to it. My hearing however… I don’t think ill be getting that back…
As I stand before the creatures ashes I look around and inspect the damage done to the building and to no ones surprise… the place is wrecked.
Burn and claw marks can be seen everywhere for the next 10 meters or so in front of me. And even further than that a trail of crushed concrete and debris lay wherever the creature touched.
‘This building may not last much longer’ I thought.
If another one of those things went wild in here I might get crushed if the building collapses. And after the wails that thing released, I wouldn’t be surprised if I have more guests on there way.
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I turned around ready to leave when suddenly…
[Soul Manifest]
[Your soul is excited]
“…”
“…”
“…”
“What?”
[You have slain a Corrupt Wailer]
[The universe is pleased by your act of selflessness]
[Your soul is pleased by the universe’s recognition]
[The universe has bestowed a reward to your soul]
[Your soul has been reward]
[Reward received]
[Corrupt wailer: a creature created by Nether, the enemy of all life, has been slain by the mortal Rey Stein. The universe is pleased by this mortals bravery and selflessness. The universe rewards the mortal]
[Received: Protectors Presence Level 0]
“…”
“…”
“…”
“What?”
What the heck just happened. The universe? Corrupt Wailer? Is that what that thing was? Protectors Presence? What just happened?
Completely dumbfounded by this series of messages that appeared in my head I decided to look at [Soul Manifest] as that was the only thing I recognised.
[Soul Manifest]
[Name: Rey Stein]
[Race: Human (Awakened)]
[Constitution: Sloth]
[Soul Level: 36]>
[Physical Level: 1]>
[@###%$^()!@#!@$#$%^#!@]
[Karma]>
[Luck: ?]
[Martial Affinity: Reaper’s Harvest]
[Spells: Incarnat, Rubius, Accel, Incras]>
[Abilities: Spark, Soul Manifest]>
[Soul Level: 36]^
[Mana: 7100]
[Intelligence: 138]
[Physical Level: 1]^
[Strength: 81]
[Agility: 94]
[Stamina: 109]
[Ki: ?]
[Karma}^
[Protectors Presence]^
[Level 0]
[Exp: 0 / 1000]
Sure enough [Protectors Presence] was there now. It was even within my karma… but that still doesn’t tell me what karma is. Or what [Protectors Presence] is.
After remaining in a daze for a while by this seemingly random occurrence, I start walking for the exit. I need to find a place I can lay low so other creatures can’t find me.
Making my way outside the stadium I find myself in the old parking lot. There are even a few abandoned cars here. Carefully, I head towards the nearest buildings in the distance, however, I try my best to remain hidden as I do. I stuck to the shadows when possible, hid behind trees, bushes and wreckage as I surveyed the area. Without my hearing I am at a massive disadvantage. A creature could scream at me and I probably wouldn’t even notice.
Once I reached the buildings I surveyed the area and inspected the places, searching for one that was less of a dump than the others. Once I found one that didn’t have too many broken walls and I fully intact ceiling I decided to settle in.
The place was an ordinary one bedroom apartment in a two story apartment complex. The other apartments seemed to empty, albeit a bit destroyed so I’m not too concerned about getting attacked here. At least for now.
First thing I will need is some kind of water source and food source. It may be a long shot but I might be able to eat creatures that I kill so I’m not too concerned about that but the water is going to be an issue. I can boil any water I can find but unless I find a large source of it, ill run out eventually. Of course, I checked to see if the kitchen tap still worked, but I wasn’t surprised when it didn’t. Most quality-of-life aspects of the old world are likely in disrepair.
I somewhat know this city as I had come here a lot during my soccer career, which is why I know there aren’t any lakes or river nearby. For now I will have to find an old fountain or something to drink from.
Actually, now that I think about it. This place really isn’t that good for me. Water is going to be too difficult to acquire and if I run into those things when I try, it’ll be all for nothing.
With that in mind I decided I would only use this as a temporary base.
Apart from water, food and shelter I will also need something else.
Knowledge.
In this apocalyptic world I am way too underprepared. I don’t know how to maintain my hygiene, prepare and store food for later, butcher my kills, the lay of the land, heck, even the creatures in this land.
I am completely oblivious to all of these things. And for that reason I have decided on my next base of operations.
I will find a library.
It might be a long shot, but as long as at least half the books are intact I will be able to learn a lot. And if I remember correctly, this cities library is close by to the Grand Plaza hotel where I used to stay at when I visited this city. And what’s more, there is a fountain out the front of that place!
The only issue is that the Grand Plaza hotel is almost an hours drive by car from here. So it’s going to be a bit of a trip. Guess I’ll just have to go hungry tonight and leave in the morning.
I step outside to have a look at the sun. It’s almost sunset so it probably wouldn’t be wise to go anywhere right now anyway.
RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE
Suddenly a massive earthquake started. Grabbing the railing out the front of my apartment I brace myself as the building shakes. I couldn’t help but wonder why there was an earthquake happening because this place was not known for having them. However, it didn’t take long for me to figure it out.
This wasn’t actually an earthquake.
In the distance the stadium I came from was collapsing. It’s huge frame fell on itself as I watched. Then… like something out of a horror movie…
A massive, dinosaur looking monster burst out of the side of the stadium. It’s huge frame at least as tall as the stadium. It had 4 limbs that it used to support itself and a massive head as large as a bulldozer. With it’s mouth open wide, revealing its massive sharp teeth, it roared. Although I couldn’t hear it roar… I definitely felt it as a blast of wind hit my face.
That was all I needed to know for me to step back inside and calming close the door. Not daring to make more noise than necessary.