13 Arena II
My claws unsheathe, and extend to a terrifying four inches long, the bioluminescent eyes of the Hive enemy reflecting off of them. As I approach rapidly, the black bone down the side of my legs compress, and the rapid decompression allows me to burst forward, closing the distance almost immediately.
Some sort of emotion appears on the Hive's face. Shock? Fear? I have no idea what it's thinking, but to hell if I care! A body like this is so much fun!
Just as I make it to the Hive, I thrust my hand forward to its abdomen, claws pointed forward as they pierce through its body with ease. Blood gushes out rapidly as it lets out a moan of pain.
''Skuuwwwoo"
It raises its gun at me, a small green gathering of energy filling the gaps leading to the barrel. Rapidly, the gun charged up a shot and fired three blasts right at me. The bullets slam into my abdomen, the Strengthened Carapace hardly seeming to help with this type of gun, as I feel my abdomen start to burn. My endurance has increased a lot now, and even without the Strengthened Carapace I can still fight with this injury.
I spread the darkness to my claws as they begin to eat away at the Hive's body, as it quickly loses strength and falls limp onto the ground. Was fighting things always this easy?
Regardless, I claim my victory by consuming the corpse in front of me. I'm torn between taking the Hive gun or leaving it. On one hand, it's powerful, on the other, I have no idea how it works. I guess there's no harm in bringing it.
I take the gun in my left hand, and spread the darkness onto the claws on my right and scan the area for more targets. It does feel strange, that these Hive are killing each other, but it isn't like humans on Earth didn't do it too. Regardless, I find my next target, another two Hive fighting each other while a knight with a large sword is approaching them, about to cleave them both in half.
The knight is risky, but it looks already damaged, I think I could take him if I fight smartly. I compress the bones on the side of my legs and jump in as fast as I can, as I pass by the two smaller Hive, I outstretch my claws, and slice the head clean off one of them, and stab straight into the second, killing them both almost instantly. I turn around to see the knight about to swing at me, however, I manage to step backwards fast enough to where its strike only meets the floor. It makes a loud ringing sound everywhere, as the impact reverberates in my ears.
This thing is strong! I really can't fuck around here right now.
I drop the gun momentarily, in order to allow me to use both of my hands as I cover both sets of my claws in darkness. The knight quickly raises its sword, and I use this time to get closer. It tries to swing sideways with its sword to rip me in two, but I duck under, slicing hard at their right hand. However, even with the corrosive ability, its armor is too thick as my claws didn't cut all the way through. It did seem to redirect its swing upwards though, as I then stand up again, attempting to leave a deep gash along its midsection.
My claws slice through, proving themselves as the Sharpened Claws 5 that I know, however, it seems that they do in fact have much more room to grow, as the armor manages to once again ward off any lethality from my attacks.
It lets out a deep, distorted growl as it tries to kick my legs out from under me. I try and compete with its strength and remain standing, but the knight is able to overpower my smaller body, as I begin to tumble to the ground, but I'm quickly able to tuck my head and roll along the ground back to my feet.
Quickly though, the knight steps forward, and swings his sword at my head. I am barely able to react in time as I lean backward, a cut appearing along my face, splashing a small amount of blood in my eyes. This stuns me momentarily, and once I get my vision back, I'm met with a kick to the stomach as I'm forced back a whole five feet from the impact.
Fuck, he's stronger than I thought. Is there really no way of winning this one?
Then I notice, the armor doesn't actually cover the most important parts of the body. I'm hoping it isn't due to different anatomy, but the Achille's tendon, bicep tendons, and jugular are all exposed. If I manage to cut even one of those three, the fight is over for them.
I stand up, just as the knight begins to approach me once more, sword ready to swing, and get low, trying to pass by the legs of the knight as I strike, however the knight swings upward, instinctively, I compress the black bones on the side of my legs and decompress them, allowing me to jump over the sword in time, kicking off on the swung sword to push me faster as I slice straight through the back of his ankle. Immediately, his left leg fails to stand at all as he drops down to a knee, using his sword to catch his fall.
It's over for this guy now. Before the knight can adjust, I slice at his jugular vein. To my shock, it doesn't seem to kill it.
Are you telling me that he has an Achille's tendon, but not a jugular? Keep it consistent!
Right as I think that, the knight manages to slowly lift his sword, and attempt a swing. Well, attempt is a strong word. The jugular vein may not be there to instantly kill it, but a slice to the neck is still fatal, no matter what way you look at it.
It falls down to the ground, as I stand over it. Watching it try and clutch his neck to save himself. However, its attempts fail as it falls limp. I feel myself get a rush, as I realize, the enemy that looked huge just a day ago, is now beneath me dead. Fuck, I may be addicted to this new world now, no wonder I was a hitman, the excitement from stuff like this is just so nice!
I eye my trophy beneath me, and begin to tear off the armor to reveal the corpse underneath, and I begin to dig in.
It tastes different from the other Hive and Fallen. It's more tough, the muscles are stronger and the skin is hard to tear. Hopefully, my teeth can get stronger too so I don't have to worry about encountering corpses I can't eat.
No matter the struggle, I eventually finish off the knight and eat the other two Hive. Looking at the sword and the gun, I decide that the gun is ultimately more important to me. The sword would be cool, however it seems to heavy to swing reliably. I don't know how to use the gun, but it doesn't seem impossible.
However, I do think I should return to the place I woke up, I need sleep. Plus, I think my Biomass is sufficient for some upgrades. Making my way out, the door begins to creak open again, as I find myself in the same boney hallway as before.
The familiar lighting to the corridor makes me feel at ease, as I make my way back to my 'room' and sit down on the wall. Looking at the gun, I take it in my hands before aiming at the wall.
There isn't any trigger so I'm not so sure how to shoot this thing.
I figured, maybe the darkness that has been so important before would work for this too. Thinking this to myself, I flow the the darkness to my fingers once more, as I watch the darkness swell from my fingers into the gun, and fire a green bolt of darkness at the wall. Perhaps I'm delusional from the fight, but the darkness seems slightly more bright and translucent than before. Whatever the reason, the gun works. Good, that's something off my checklist.
Then, I lay down, allowing myself to drift off to sleep slowly, as I begin to. hear the messages ringing through my head.
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[Biomass Gathered]
[Upgrades Unlocked]
[You have 42.7 kg of mass to allocate to your body]
[Upgrades]:
- [Retractable Sharpened Claws 5] [Evolution requires 10 kg of Biomass]
- [Enhanced Ligaments 5] [Evolution requires 15 kg of Biomass]
- [Strengthened Carapace 5] [Evolution requires 25 kg of Biomass]
- [Pain Suppression 5] [Evolution requires 10 kg of Biomass]
- [Darkness Control (Strand) 1]
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Oh great, now I have to decide which one. I was thinking Enhanced Ligaments before but now, what is Strand? Is it some sort of deviation from darkness? I'm curious. I have to have enough for it since it showed up, but will I have enough for anything else if I take it? Plus, evolve multiple upgrades if I take the safe bet.
Come on, brain, what would be best?
Thinking hard, I decide once and for all. It's time to stick to my gut, Enhanced Ligaments it is!
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[15 kg of Biomass consumed]
[Enhanced Ligaments has now evolved into Enhanced Skeletal System]
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Huh, Enhanced Skeletal System? It seems like it encompasses more of my body now, perhaps I get faster? Or maybe something else?
However, now comes the idea, what should I pick next? Looking over to Strand, it seems it has vanished from the options list, it seems I made the correct decision, as taking Strand would leave me with no Biomass for any other upgrades.
Alright, Strengthened Carapace is up next!
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[25 kg of Biomass consumed]
[Strengthened Carapace has now evolved into Absorption Carapace]
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After this upgrade, my Biomass has been sucked dry, and I slowly wake up.
Upon standing, I stretch my body and inspect my body. Now, I'm so glad I made that choice. I have no idea what Strand is, but to hell if I need it if what I look like now is a reflection of what I can do.
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Malvūc, you're next!
