Chapter 4: Start Of A Journey

We hurried through the dimly lit corridors of the hospital, the tension in the air palpable. Jess and Alex led the way, their movements synchronized, while I struggled to keep up. My legs, weakened by two years of coma-induced inactivity, protested every step, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins pushed me forward.

As we moved deeper into the hospital, I couldn't help but wonder about the world outside. What had become of it during my two-year slumber? The vague reports I had overheard about dungeon outbreaks hinted at a reality far more dangerous and unpredictable than anything I had ever imagined.

"So, Ethan," Jess said, breaking the silence as we navigated a particularly dark corridor, "how much do you know about the Daggers?"

I furrowed my brow, my mind racing to piece together the little information I had. "Not much, to be honest. I only learned about you guys when Alex saved me from that... werewolf."

Alex glanced at me, her expression unreadable from beneath her hood. "The Daggers are a group of humans who've chosen to fight back against the creatures that emerged from the dungeons," she explained. "These dungeons, they're like tears in reality, unleashing monsters into our world. We've taken it upon ourselves to protect what's left of humanity."

I nodded, absorbing the gravity of their mission. The world had changed, and ordinary people had been thrust into a battle for survival against supernatural horrors.

"But why were you at the hospital?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "And how did you know I was here?"

Jess glanced at Alex, sharing a silent exchange before answering. "We had information that the hospital was about to be overrun by creatures. We didn't know about you specifically, but when we got here, we realized there was someone still inside. Alex took the lead on this one."

Alex's voice remained steady as she added, "We've been monitoring the situation closely. The hospitals are prime targets for outbreaks. There's something about the energy in these places that seems to attract the creatures."

The more I learned, the more I felt like I had entered a different reality entirely. Hospitals, places of healing, had become death traps. The monsters that had emerged from the dungeons had turned the world into a battleground.

Our path eventually led us to a door marked "Exit," and we cautiously stepped into the night air. The moon hung low on the horizon, casting eerie shadows across the hospital's parking lot. It was a stark reminder of how much time had passed during my coma.

As we ventured further into the deserted parking lot, I couldn't help but notice the heavily fortified vehicles parked nearby. They looked like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie, Steel-plated and armed with weapons.

"What are those?" I asked, nodding toward the vehicles.

Jess grinned, her eyes shining with a hint of excitement. "Those, my friend, are our rides. Customized for the apocalypse."

Alex chimed in, "Each Dagger has their own specialized vehicle. We need them to move around quickly and safely. You'll get one too once you're ready."

The prospect of becoming a Dagger, of joining this battle for humanity's survival, was both thrilling and daunting. I had never imagined my life taking such a turn, but there was no denying the reality of the world outside.

As we approached the vehicles, Jess led us to a black, armored SUV that looked like it could withstand a tank's assault. "This one's mine," she said proudly.

Alex gestured to a nearby motorcycle. "And this is mine. Ethan, you'll ride with Jess for now."

I nodded, my mind still racing to catch up with this new reality. The hospital was behind us, and I was headed into the unknown, riding shotgun with two Daggers who had known each other since childhood, each with their own story and secrets.

Before we could set off, Jess turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hey, Ethan, you never told us how you ended up in that hospital."

I hesitated for a moment, the memories of that fateful day flooding back. "It's a long story," I began, "but it started with a strange artifact I found in the woods..."