The creature stopped in front of the towering metal rod, its destination in sight.
Fear and dread coursed through him, his body frozen, knowing there was nothing he could do to escape the impending horror. He trembled, tears streaming down his face. He was helpless, unable to fight back. He took a deep, shaky breath, a final attempt at calming his racing heart. If this was the end, he didn’t want it to be in fear. Closing his eyes, he exhaled slowly. He let his breath out gently, his body trembling but strangely calm. There was no point in struggling; he would face his end with as much dignity as he could. His heart ached in his chest, his life flashing before his eyes. He stopped breathing. He would rather go the easy way out than die in pain.
The creature raised him up onto the long rod in front of it..Tanashi was about to die in a cruel way..then suddenly the creature stopped..it examined him..it waited..Tanashi, determined to meet his end without pain, held his breath until he finally lost consciousness.
The monster’s gaze seemed to bore into Tanashi’s soul as it raised its free hand, grasping a rusty metal rod that lay nearby. The rod was covered in rust and grime, but its purpose was clear: it was designed for impaling.
With a slow and deliberate motion, the monster inserted one end of the rod into the young man’s abdomen. His unconscious form didn’t flinch as he felt himself being slowly pierced by cold metal.
As the rod slid deeper into his body, the young man’s internal organs began to spill out.
His intestines slithered out of his abdominal cavity, dripping with blood and viscera. Coiling around the metal shaft like snakes escaping from a basket. And his stomach contents splattered against the ground with a sickening squelch in a putrid mess of half-digested food and bile.
The sound of tearing flesh and crunching bone filled the air as his internal organs were forced out of their natural positions. The monster’s long fingers grasped and pulled, tearing apart his chest cavity like a rag doll. His ribcage cracked and splintered under the monster’s grip, allowing his lungs to burst forth like deflated balloons.
Tanashi’s body began to resemble a flower in full bloom, a flower of death. His skin stretched taut over his skeletal frame, now exposed for all to see.
Tanashi never felt it. Being unconscious had spared him from experiencing the pain.
But Asahi, who was still alive and on the run, would not be so fortunate.
Asahi, his heart pounding in his chest, took shelter in a desolate old house, his body trembling slightly. He found himself crying, tears streaming down his face. Tanashi had a fiancé, and their wedding was imminent. He had been saving up money for months, to build a life with her.
One more mission after this one and he would have left.
Asahi, was on the verge of a mental breakdown. He forced himself to take several deep breaths, attempting to calm his racing heart and panicked thoughts. With trembling hands, he activated his NeuroChip, initiating a call to the police.
The connection was made, and the voice of a dispatcher came through Asahi’s earpiece, “Neo-tokyo Police Emergency Dispatcher. What’s your emergency?”
Asahi’s voice was shaky and weak. He took a moment to gather his bearings before speaking. “I...I need help,” he managed to utter, his voice quivering. “There’s... there’s a creature.. a monster.....it..killed...ev..everyone..”
The dispatcher on the other end of the line sounded skeptical. “Sir, can you please provide us with more details? What kind of animal are you talking about? Where are you and are you sure you are not drunk?”
He clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure. “I’m not drunk, damn it!” he snapped.
“I’m telling you, it’s a monster! A giant, nightmarish creature that slaughtered my friends! I’m in...I’m in an old abandoned house, somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo.”
The dispatcher’s tone shifted from skeptical to surprised. “Sir, since the bombing of Tokyo, it’s been strictly prohibited to enter the area. If you’re there, it’s considered unlawful. May I ask what you were doing there in the first place?”
Asahi’s frustration boiled over and he yelled out loudly, “We are mercenaries hired by the Kusunoki Conglomerate! We had legal permission to be there! We were heading to Yokohama when the abomination attacked us. Send help, damn it!”
The dispatcher was taken aback by Asahi’s outburst, but his words registered. There was a brief pause before the dispatcher spoke again, “Alright, sir. We’re dispatching help your way. Stay where you are, and keep yourself safe. The police and emergency services will be there as soon as possible.”
“Please hurry...I’m scared.” He leaned against the wall of the abandoned house.
“while they are on their way, can you tell us what the animal looked like?” The dispatcher said.
Asahi’s voice trembled as he described the creature, “It wasn’t an animal! It was a demon! It was dark, I couldn’t see everything, but I know it stood on two legs, at least six feet tall! And its fingers...those fingers were like scythes, sharp enough to cut someone’s head off!”
The dispatcher seemed to have a hard time believing Asahi’s account. There was a moment of silence before the dispatcher spoke again, “Sir, are you sure you’re not hallucinating? Demons don’t exist...”
He let out a bitter laugh, “Hallucinating? Really? I wish I was! I’m telling you, it’s real! If you don’t believe me, send in a SAT unit, or better yet come here yourself and see!”
Just then Asahi heard something outside, footsteps.
Asahi’s heart pounded against his chest, cold dread coursing through his veins. How had the creature found him? It didn’t follow him, so how did it know where he was?
“How...how did it find me? It didn’t follow me... did it?” He whispered, fear creeping up on him. The footsteps grew louder... closer... until they were right outside the door.
Asahi’s voice trembled as he spoke to the dispatcher, “It’s... it’s found me... I think I’m... I’m going to die.”
“Sir, you must hide! Find a place to hide and stay there! Don’t give up! The help is on its way!” but Asahi’s despair had taken hold, clouding his judgment.
Before the dispatcher could offer further advice, Asahi abruptly ended the call, refusing to engage any longer in what he perceived as a futile conversation.
The door of the abandoned building caved in, giving way to the monstrous arrival. Asahi, still slumped on the floor, now found himself face to face with the horrifying creature. He had nowhere to run, no escape possible.
The demon extended its long blood-soaked boney fingers towards him and lifted Asahi off the ground with ease. The creature didn’t lash out with violence. Instead, it gently picked him up and started moving, carrying Asahi away.
The monster carried Asahi away from the remnants of the old city. In a matter of minutes, they reached their destination – a place of unspeakable horror.
What greeted him was Tanash—
No.
It was Tanashi’s body, impaled on a rusted metal spike, his internal organs on the ground.
Asahi could only ponder: would his own end be as gruesome?
And the answer was yes.
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Kazu cautiously ventured out of the old shop, cautiously making his way in the dark. Thankfully, his prosthetic arm had a built-in flashlight, offering a faint light to guide him. Despite the limited illumination, it was still sufficient for him to navigate their surroundings.
Kazu carefully surveyed their surroundings, holding his handgun securely in his grip. With a quick message through his Neurochip, he urged Sachiko to follow suit. She emerged from the shop, clutching a knife for protection. Although it wasn’t much, it was better than nothing.
They walked for a little bit, not talking physically, not knowing if the creature was following their trail again.
They were making their way back to their truck. Running was out of the question, and escaping on foot was not an option. They needed a vehicle, and fortunately, their truck was the only functioning one they knew of. Their best hope was to reaching it as quickly as possible.
Sachiko glanced around as they progressed, taking in the sight of the desolate streets that formed the remains of Tokyo. This was Tokyo, a city she had only heard stories about from her grandmother who had lived there and spoke fondly of the city in the past but this was her first time experiencing the devastation firsthand.
It felt like an eternity before Kazu and Sachiko finally caught sight of their truck in the distance, its lights illuminating the otherwise dark surroundings. Relief washed over them and they ran over to it, a small victory.
Kazu and Sachiko allowed themselves a brief moment of relief.
They cautiously checked the area, ensuring no signs of the creature.
Kazu made his way to the driver’s seat but halted in his tracks.
His gaze fell upon the gruesome sight before him.
Two corpses lying lifelessly on the snowy ground surrounded by a pool of blood staining the snow crimson. He stood motionless, paying his respects to his fallen comrades.
He muttered a soft farewell to them, hoping that wherever they were now, they were at peace.
With a heavy heart, Kazu forced himself to turn away from the sight, he had to get moving. He knew there was no time to dwell on their loss; the creature could still be lurking nearby, waiting to pounce on them.
He walked over and sat in the driver’s seat of the truck. Kazu let out a sigh of relief. He made sure to lock all the doors. Though the creature could potentially break through the reinforced glass window, for now they were safe.
He turned on the truck and set it back to manual as previously he had set it to automatic. The truck revved to life, its powerful engine roaring as it gained speed. Kazu stomped on the accelerator, pushing the vehicle to its limit. The speedometer climbed, reaching a dizzying 140 kh/h in mere minutes.
Kazu managed a weary smile. They had reached their top speed of 140kph, which he hoped would be enough to outrun the creature. No animal in the world could run this fast, he assured himself. They were finally safe. Sachiko reached out to Kazu, her fingers gently resting on his shoulder. A warm smile spread across her face as she reassured him, her voice steady and confident. “See? I told you, you’re not going to die. We made it, Kazu.”
He reached over with his prosthetic arm, gently placing his hand on hers, grateful for her support.
But he didn’t respond to Sachiko’s words. Instead, he focused on the road ahead.
Though he didn’t want to dampen Sachiko’s spirits, he struggled to share her optimism. Their escape from the creature was a temporary win, but the broader picture was just as bad.
Kazu knew that returning to home would not be an option, not without facing significant backlash.
He knew that with the loss of their highly valued employee, the megacorp would undoubtedly be furious, not because they cared about one particular individual. No, it was just to maintain an image. They would undoubtedly be questioned and blamed for the loss.
In the worst-case scenario, they might even be imprisoned or faced with capital punishment.
Escaping Japan was going to be hard, but compared to facing the wrath of the megacorp, it seemed a lesser evil. And Kazu knew that no one would believe his story. The story was too outlandish, too far-fetched.
Who could believe that the megacorp employee who was supposed to be accompanying them turned into a monstrous being that slaughtered their team?
It sounded like the plot of a horror movie, and not even a good one at that.
But Kazu had lived it.
As Kazu pondered the logistics of their escape, he mentally sifted through his assets. He had a small fortune in cash. Kazu’s cash stash was a lifeline borne from his line of work. Hence, he had adopted the habit of opting for cash when receiving payments. It allowed him to maintain a degree of anonymity, untethering himself from digital financial trails that could potentially be used to trace him. While cash had become nearly obsolete it was still a legal means of transaction.
In numerous black markets scattered across poorer domed cities, he was acquainted with some trustworthy acquaintances, who could discreetly sell all his assets and belongings without suspicion, taking a modest 20% cut, while he would receive the remaining earnings.
In terms of his living arrangements, he rented an apartment, which alleviated any concerns about property liquidation.
Moreover, he recalled a person, Mr. Nakamura capable of facilitating their departure from Japan, albeit at a steep fee.
Mr. Nakamura operated what was basically a black market airport with great skill and secrecy. He facilitated the arrival and departure of contraband and illegal individuals into and out of Japan. From passports, visas to tickets, Nakamura had them all. All of that, for the right price of course.
The cost of an illegal flight was high, but Kazu speculated they could opt for an older aircraft to reduce expenses. As for their final destination, he pondered their options, considering the United democratic Republic of Korea, This nation, formed after World War III. It was familiar territory, thanks to a friend he still kept in touch with.
Kazu’s thoughts were abruptly shattered as a chilling roar echoed through the night, sending shivers down their spines. “KHEEEEEEEHHH”
A monstrous roar that he instantly recognized – the same one that haunted his nightmares. The roar of the creature who had slaughtered his team. Adrenaline surged, and he gripped the steering wheel, his eyes darting nervously around the landscape.
The sound echoed once more, closer this time, sending Kazu and Sachiko’s pulse into overdrive. Anxiety consumed Kazu; time seemed to slow as he frantically scanned for any signs of the creature’s approach.
But before he could comprehend what was happening, a violent impact shook the truck, throwing it off course. Kazu fought hard to regain control, his knuckles whitening as he held onto the steering wheel, struggling to keep the vehicle steady.
The truck careered uncontrollably forward, the wheels skidding against the icy road. Kazu could hear the panicked screams of Sachiko beside him. He tried to calm her but his own voice trembled with fear. “It’s okay,” he managed to say, though his own words lacked conviction.
“Hold on to something,” he instructed, sensing another impending collision. Indeed, as though summoned by Kazu’s words, the truck was hit again, this time with even greater force. The impact sent them crashing into a nearby building.
The truck came to a shuddering halt, its front end crumpled against the structure. Kazu shook his head, trying to clear the haze that clouded his vision from the collision. He looked over at Sachiko, relieved to find her sitting up, dazed but seemingly uninjured, apart from a few scrapes and bumps.
Smoke billowed around them, obscuring their vision. Kazu reached out, his trembling fingers finding Sachiko’s hand.
Sachiko turned her head to look at him and when she did, the sound of her scream shattered the silence. His breath hitched in his throat as he followed her gaze to his own chest. A sharp, jagged shard of broken glass from the shattered windshield had pierced his flesh. Blood seeped out of the wound, staining his suit.
The pain was excruciating, but Kazu gritted his teeth through it. His hand instinctively moved to slow the bleeding, his fingers tightening against the wound. Every movement sent waves of pain coursing through his body.
“Sachiko,” he managed to croak through the haze of pain. “We... need... to... move. Now.” His voice trembled, his body struggling to hold on. But he knew they had no time to lose, not with that creature outside.
He hastily checked if the truck’s engine was operational. Thankfully, it still worked. But just as his relief began to take hold, a chilling sound pierced through the air from the roof of the vehicle. Something had landed on top, and it was now clawing and tearing through the metal
Kazu’s eyes darted to the heavy-duty rifle nearby, set on automatic mode and fully loaded.
He took the heavy-duty rifle, checking its settings and ammunition count. With grim resolve, he turned to Sachiko and placed her head gently on the steering wheel. “Drive,” he commanded, his voice barely above a whisper. “Do not look back, no matter what.”
With a swift kick, Kazu burst from the truck, the cold air hitting him as he emerged into the open.
He stepped out, his gun aimed at the creature looming atop the vehicle. With a resolute sigh, he set the weapon to single-fire mode, his finger hovering over the trigger. Kazu aimed the rifle at the monster and fired. The bullet narrowly missed, but it succeeded in capturing the creature’s attention.
There was no turning back now. His team had paid the ultimate price, and he was willing to follow them to their fate if it meant Sachiko’s survival.
With a monstrous leap, the creature descended from the truck, its imposing form now directly facing Kazu. Kazu braced himself as the creature descended from the truck, standing ominously before him. He watched as Sachiko shifted to the driver’s seat, her hands trembling while holding the steering wheel. The truck roared to life and drove off.
As the truck sped away, Kazu watched it disappear into the distance.
He was all alone now.
Undeterred, Kazu fired rapidly, his gun roaring to life as he targeted the creature’s exposed stomach. Six bullets struck the same spot, yet to his horror, there was no reaction from the creature. It remained motionless, as though unaffected.
Desperation set in as Kazu targeted the creature’s head, firing three bullets in quick succession. The outcome was the same, devoid of any impact. He aimed at its sprawling limbs, four bullets per arm, four bullets per leg, but still, the creature showed no sign of injury.
He had only four bullets left.
The creature lunged at Kazu, its long arms stretched towards him. Instinctively, he evaded the attack, dodging its deadly claws.
The creature’s legs were now exposed, and he seized the opportunity, shooting two bullet into the right leg and one into the left one, hoping to cripple its movement. But to his horror, the bullets merely bounced off, as if the creature was shielded by a force field. No amount of conventional weaponry seemed to be effective.
Only one bullet remained.