Chapter 12: *Security*

The battle had been ongoing for hours. Mr. Puteri was covered in sweat, breathing heavily, and had a hard time keeping up with the continuous attack of mutated creatures. His movements had dulled, and tiredness was seeping into his body.

“Kid… I’m running out of steam here,” he gasped after delivering a weak blow to a creature. His age and stamina were catching up with him.

Nix, still brimming with energy, shot him a glance, his hair billowing slightly as he deflected another beast’s attack. “Mr. Puteri, let me take over. You’ve done more than enough.” His tone was light but firm, assuring the older man that he had it covered.

Mr. Puteri hesitated, looking at Nix. The boy had been in a continuous battle for three hours, yet he appeared capable of enduring three additional hours. Despite being aware of his own limitations, he nodded wearily and took a step back. "Okay, youngster, just stay alert and vigilant." These creatures are not becoming any simpler.

“I got this,” Nix grinned, his eyes scanning the battlefield.

Turning to Prabh, who was crouched beside her convulsing pet wombat, Ollie, Nix called out, “Prabh, take a break too. You need to get used to your new abilities. I’ll hold the line.”

Prabh nodded, her eyes expressing concern while she gently petted Ollie, who was twitching and experiencing odd growth spurts. "What is going on with him?" she murmured, mostly to herself. As he matured, his skin appeared to be ripping apart and blood oozed from the fissures.

Mr. Puteri crouched beside her, frowning. He didn’t have an answer either. “We can’t do anything right now, Prabh. Just… hope for the best. Whatever’s happening, it's beyond us."

Nix glanced back at them, seeing the uncertainty on their faces, but there was no time to dwell on it. Beasts were still coming. He turned back to the fight, trusting that whatever was happening with Ollie, they’d figure it out eventually.

The next hour was a blur of combat. Nix’s movements grew more fluid, his techniques sharper, as he used each encounter to refine his abilities. His Hair Technique *Spears* shot through the air with deadly precision, while his *Phantom Hands* crushed any creature that got too close. All the while, he was using *Blood-Devouring*, draining the life force from the beasts he defeated, keeping his energy levels up as the battle raged on.

Yet, something felt off. The attacks had been coming at 15-minute intervals before, but now the frequency had increased. It was as though the monsters were testing their defenses, searching for a weak point. Every 10 minutes, another wave of beasts would crash against Nix, each stronger than the last. But Nix held his ground, determined to protect the Puteri home.

Suddenly, a scream pierced through the chaos.

“Prabh!” Nix whipped around, his heart pounding. He activated his *Radar Sense* and immediately detected her struggling, pinned down by what seemed like a level 1 evolved beast.

He bolted toward her, his hair technique *Spear* already forming, ready to strike. “How did it get past me?” he muttered, confused and angry. His mind raced as he gets in about 20ft distance, then quickly launched his hair *Spears * technique, but when his spears hit the beast, they bounced off harmlessly, as if striking a reflective wall.

“What the hell?” Nix stared, baffled. How could a level 1 beast shrug off his attack like that? He had been piercing through level 2s with his *Spears * hair technique without issue, yet this one seemed impervious.

Before he could launch another attack, Prabh’s voice cut through the tension.

“Nix! Stop! Don’t attack!” Her laughter bubbled up, surprising him even more.

Nix skidded to a halt, looking at her in disbelief. “What are you laughing about? This thing’s got you pinned!”

Prabh shook her head, still laughing despite being underneath the massive creature. “It’s not attacking me, Nix. It’s Ollie. He evolved!”

For a moment, Nix just stared, his brain catching up to the situation. “Wait, *that’s* Ollie?” He blinked, processing what she had said. The large, menacing beast pinning her down was… her pet wombat? Now much larger, stronger, and definitely scarier.

Prabh scratched behind Ollie’s ear, still laughing. “Yeah, I don’t know how, but he evolved. I thought I was about to lose him, but I guess he had other plans.”

Nix let out a long breath, shaking his head with a chuckle. “You could’ve mentioned that sooner.” He glanced at Mr. Puteri, who stood nearby, also looking at the newly evolved Ollie in disbelief.

“Didn’t exactly know what was happening,” Mr. Puteri muttered, shrugging. “I thought he was about to explode or something.”

Nix smirked and nodded. “Alright, mystery solved. Good for Ollie. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He turned back toward the battlefield, raising his hands, his transparent hair forming into his technique *String* shooting outside, then connecting to a tree, Nix the looked back at them then said “I’ve got more monsters to deal with, then Nix activated hisp his *String* and was pulled out of the room.

And with that, Nix charged back into the fray, once again defending the Puteri home, confident that with an evolved Ollie by their side. Another helping hand is always good.

Nix stood at the edge of the trash heaps, the weight of his recent victories still fresh in his mind. Since the battle at Mount Trashmore, he had grown in power, collecting six level 2 Gene Bones and fifty-eight level 1 Gene Bones from the monsters he had slain. His hair tentacles, invisible to the naked eye, shifted subtly around him, as if responding to the sense of tension in the air.

A few minutes later, Mr. Puteri and Prabh stepped out of their home, followed by Ollie, who had grown to the size of a horse but still retained his familiar, wombat-like appearance. Despite Ollie’s size, his gentle demeanor remained, though Nix knew he was anything but harmless.

As the trio gathered beside Nix, they exchanged glances. Something was off. The usual monstrous activity in their territory had dwindled, and the air felt too still. Then, the Hunter’s Watch on Nix’s wrist buzzed, followed shortly by Prabh’s and Mr. Puteri’s. The message that flashed across their screens was urgent: monsters were gathering en masse on the west side of the city, apparently responding to a command from a level 5 Alpha beast.

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Nix and Prabh exchanged a long look. Their eyes reflected a shared desire, a hunger for battle and a determination to protect their city.

“I know we can’t take on the Alpha,” Nix said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, tempered by experience. “Even at level 2, I’m not ready for a monster that strong. But we can help clear out the lower-level beasts. We can make a difference.”

Prabh nodded, gripping her rifle. “I’ll back you up. I’m still level 1, but with Ollie and this rifle, we’ve got a fighting chance.”

Mr. Puteri, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward. “You’re making the right decision. Focus on the lower-level monsters, leave the higher-tier threats to the stronger hunters.”

He glanced at Ollie, then back to his daughter. “I’ll stay here in case more monsters show up, but you’re taking Ollie with you. He’ll give you another layer of protection. Remember, Prabh, you’re still level 1, and you’ll need all the help you can get.”

Ollie let out a soft grunt, almost as if in agreement, his massive frame radiating strength.

“And here,” Mr. Puteri said, taking out a well-kept automatic rifle from his chest. This gun is among my top weapons and can penetrate through a level 3 monster hide with my 5 unique level 3 plasma bullets, however, these bullets are costly to produce, so I’ll also provide you with tons of level 1 bullets for your use. Prabh, make good use of it. You’re familiar with the task, but be ready to retreat if the situation becomes too risky.

Prabh accepted the rifle with a nod of appreciation. “Thanks, Dad. We’ll be careful.”

With their plan in place, Nix got on his scootie, and Prabh rode on Ollie’s back, headed toward the west side of the city, where the chaos had already begun to spread. The Hunter’s Watch kept updating them as they moved, confirming that the monsters were indeed gathering in larger numbers, driven by the Alpha’s command. Their target was the lower-tier creatures, level 1 and 2 beasts that were still dangerous but far more manageable than the monsters commanding them.

Nix and Prabh moved swiftly through the chaotic streets, Ollie by their side, a steady force amidst the madness. The Hunter’s Watch on their wrists kept updating them, providing new intel on the shifting battlefront. Monsters were still pouring into the city, though most were lower-tier creatures, manageable, but dangerous in numbers.

As they approached the next intersection, the roar of gunfire and the clang of metal echoed through the air. Nix narrowed his eyes, recognizing the sounds of a battle nearby.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones here,” Prabh remarked, her grip on the automatic rifle tightening. She adjusted her stance, scanning the area for threats.

Nix nodded, his hair-tentacles invisible but ready, poised for another attack. “Let’s check it out.”

They turned the corner to find a familiar duo in the middle of the action, Jeff and Liam, both engaged in a fierce battle against a group of level 1 and 2 monsters. Jeff stood firm, his massive shield absorbing blows from a trio of Razorhounds, while Liam darted in and out of the fray, his twin blades flashing as he took down another monster with swift, precise strikes.

“About time you two showed up!” Jeff called out, his voice booming as he deflected another attack. “We could use some backup here!”

Liam, his face focused but showing a hint of a grin, nodded to them. “Nix, Prabh, glad you’re here. These monsters aren’t letting up.”

Nix didn’t waste time responding. With a quick thought, he activated his technique transforming his hair into *Spear* form. He lashed out, the sharp, invisible strands striking a Razorhound in mid-leap, impaling it before it could reach Jeff. The creature let out a pained yelp before collapsing to the ground.

Prabh fired her rifle, picking off another monster that was attempting to flank Liam. The automatic rifle level 1 piercing rounds tore through the creature’s tough hide, dropping it instantly.

“Good timing,” Liam said, spinning around to cut down another beast. “We’ve been thinning their numbers, but there’s more coming from the west side."

“We know,” Nix replied, swinging *Morning Wood* to send a charging Redback Razorhound to a permanent slumber. “They’re being called by an Alpha, a level 5 monster. We’re here to clean up the low-level ones, make sure they don’t overwhelm the city.”

Jeff nodded, raising his shield to block another incoming attack. “That Alpha’s out of our league, but we can clear these streets. Focus on the smaller monsters and leave the rest to the higher-level hunters.”

Ollie let out a deep growl, barreling into a group of level 1 creatures and sending them scattering. The massive wombat-like creature was a force to be reckoned with, providing both a shield and a battering ram as he charged through the horde.

Nix felt a sense of unity wash over him. With Jeff and Liam now at their side, they had the firepower and skill needed to push through. His hair flickered with energy, and he shifted his focus, using his String technique to latch onto a nearby monster and yank it toward him. In one smooth motion, he brought down Morning Wood on the creature’s head, ending it with a single blow.

“We’re pushing them back,” Prabh called out, firing another round and hitting a level 2 Bull Python that had been slithering through the debris. The beast recoiled, hissing in pain before it slumped to the ground.

“We’ll hold this area,” Jeff said, his shield gleaming as he blocked another incoming attack. “There are civilians nearby that need protection. Liam and I will cover the east side of this street.”

“Got it,” Nix replied, his hair moving in all directions, scanning the battlefield with his Radar Sense, detecting the vibrations from any movement within a 15-foot range. “We’ll take the west side. Let’s finish cleaning up these lower-tier monsters.”

The four of them worked seamlessly, each knowing their role. Jeff stood as an immovable wall, defending against waves of monsters, while Liam moved like a whirlwind, cutting down anything that got too close. Prabh provided cover from a distance, her rifle precision perfect as she picked off the enemies that tried to flank them. Nix was the wild card, his invisible hair-tentacles weaving through the battlefield, stabbing, grabbing, and striking with deadly efficiency.

With each passing moment, the streets cleared. The lower-level monsters were no match for their combined might, and soon, the growls and screeches of the creatures began to fade. Nix felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he struck down another Razorhound with his hair shaping technique Spear. They were winning, at least, for now.

At last, after what seemed like a long time but was probably just a few minutes, the final monster was defeated. The bodies of the fallen creatures cluttered the street, and the tension in the air started to gradually dissipate.

Jeff wiped the sweat from his brow, letting out a long breath. “That should do it for now.”

Liam sheathed his blades, glancing around. “We’ve pushed them back, but the real threat is still out there. That Alpha…”

Nix nodded. “We’re not ready for something that strong. A level 5 Alpha would tear us apart. But we’ve done our part here. We’ve protected the city, at least for now.”

Prabh lowered her rifle, giving Ollie a pat on the head. “We just need to keep this up. As long as we stay together, we can keep the lower-tier monsters at bay.”

Jeff clapped Nix on the shoulder, his usual grin returning. “Good work, Nix. I’m glad you’re on our side.”

Nix grinned, his thoughts already shifting to the next move. The city remained at risk, and although they had tidied up, Liam monitored the Monsters Live Count. Observing that there are fewer than one hundred monster at Level 1, nine at Level 2, five at Level 3, and only the Alpha Level 5 remaining in the city, gave them a sense of relief.

“Are we heading back?” Nix asked, looking at the horizon, where the sun was starting to dip. “There’s nothing much we can do now.”

How about we do a bit of security work and do a round in this area, so we can help those who need first aid. “That’s a good idea!” Jeff replied.

With that being said, Jeff assigned everyone to a patrol route and separated to increase speed of response and have broader coverage.

The group started following the trail set by Jeff, aware that this conflict would soon come to an end.