Chapter 10
'There are very few zombies, but from what I am seeing those aren't the normal ones. The moles, although disgusting, should be quite easy to handle. The problem however are these new monkey creatures.'
Analyzing the battle as he ran forward, he took a deep breath. 'Don't try to be a hero, don't die, let others die instead.' Ducking below a mole tail, Arthur had officially joined the battle.
'Pale Eyed Moles have softer skin so it would be easier to take them out without a weapon. The boils on their bodies could be acidic so it's off limits to touch them there.'
Grabbing the tail of the mole which attacked him, he yanked on it dragging the mole closer to him. Then he delivered a punch with all his strength into the mutated rodent's flank.
As he anticipated, his fist sank into the mole's body. Retrieving his hand from its disgusting insides, Arthur punched it again and again till it was dead.
"Easy, they're strong one, the liquid that thing releases is toxic," Arthur looked at the girl who was speaking, "Even I can't escape it." She was from another school, so Arthur didn't know who she was.
She was holding a mole's tail, swinging it with lethal force. Kicking away the claw of another mole, Arthur asked, "So what do you expect I use to kill them."
Facing him, the pretty girl said, "I wouldn't advise you to distract yourself, unless you have something to protect yourself." She lashed her mole tail whip slicing open the head of the rodent.
"You could take one of the tails or as the boy called Ethan, he handed metal rods to everyone fighting without a weapon." With that she distanced herself in search of opponents.
Ripping off the tail of the mole he just killed, he tried whipping it around like the girl but failed horribly. He couldn't control it without giving himself a few deep cuts.
Adding his Weapon Augmentation skill, he still couldn't control it properly, although the skill needed no mana but focus only. Wondering how the girl used something so slithery he decided to take it along.
It could prove useful later.
'I need to find Ethan, or I could return to get some guns. Getting guns would take too long and more awakeners would be left dead, so I am finding Ethan.'
Maneuvering through the chaos, Arthur pushed forward, aiding others make their kills. It didn't take long before he saw Ethan struggling against three zombies.
Rushing to aid his friend, Arthur stopped suddenly. His friend didn't need saving. Normally everyone felt fear, dread and mental stress when battling these creatures.
But as Arthur observed, Ethan felt none of that. Although the group of monsters they fought were outnumbered by them three to one, the zombies were a different case.
Most human deaths on this very battle front were by these zombies, however Arthur's task now wouldn't be taking care of zombies, but taking care of a bigger threat.
Deciding to help his friend, he swung his mole tail, the rodent before him fell, its body split cleanly apart.
Walking closer to Ethan he stopped and looked at some six meter long iron rods. 'He probably took these from buildings.' Arthur picked up a rod and attached the mole tail to the rod's end.
Ripping a part of his bloody shirt, he fastened the tail and the rod strongly. Testing his weapon briefly he activated his Weapon Augmentation skill and joined Ethan.
With a single lash, one of the zombie's head exploded.
[ You Have Slain A Level Two Zombie. ]
[ 10 Exp received. ]
[ Your Essence Grows Darker. ]
'A level two zombie, no wonder they're stronger.' Wasting no time Arthur whipped the second zombie, but it evaded. Its attention diverted from Ethan and focused on Arthur.
The first level two zombie he killed was unaware of his presence, this one was. With speeds surpassing his, the zombie swiped its hand like a claw. Arthur deflected it with the rod and distanced himself.
'I have range, it doesn't so I have an advantage as long as I keep my distance.' Whipping the tail, he controlled it to direct a strike at the zombie, but it dodged it quite easily.
Arthur swung it above his head, yet again the zombie ducked, showcasing a higher level of intelligence. And that was how their battle continued, Arthur kept his range and the zombie followed up closely.
While they fought, Arthur killed a few distracted moles and zombies, all around the area Ethan was. While still keeping the zombie at bay, a loud screech came from the hall's direction.
So long and frightening, Arthur stopped for a moment and the zombie closed the distance. Four of its claws sank into Arthur's shoulder, before it could fully grab him, a metal rod pierced through its head.
It fell dead and Ethan stood behind holding a bloodied rod. His clothes and flesh were torn, his form disheveled. "The level two zombies are equal to a level ten awakener." Ethan said sitting on the blood soaked ground.
Looking around and noticing the ending battle, Arthur said, "How could you tell." Ethan looked up to him his eyes tired, "I am level 12 yet these things are still putting up a fight."
Arthur nodded curtly, of all the awakened survivors, he was the only one who could still fight. "I would head on to the hall and clear out anything there. If I don't call out to you then don't come over." He said.
Not letting Ethan reply, he sped off as fast as he could, 'Another powerful foe, the more chances for a level up.'
As he approached, three rock projectiles flew towards him with deadly speeds. Arthur dodged one by awkwardly bending his body. The second grazed his leg and he redirected the last with his metal rod.
His leg gave out and he fell, immediately he dove out of the way as several rocks hit the spot he stood at. 'That stupid monkey creature and its rocks. That thing snapped iron with ease, I have to be more cautious or I meet my end.'
This was the first time for him to see those long ranged creatures close up. It looked very much like a thin tall monkey, its fur was short and didn't reach its abdomen and sides which showcased bony ribs.
With three meter long fangs, a thick tail it used to shoot rocks at outrageous speeds and claws which Arthur was sure were sharper than the moles.
Arthur groaned at the pain and dashed towards the creature. More rocks came and he got grazed on his side and arm. That didn't slow him down, as he whipped the creature.
At the last moment, the monkey creature dove out of the way but got its leg sliced off. That was the moment it lost as Arthur brutally whipped it several more times.
Kicking its corpse aside, Arthur walked out of the great valley and onto the grassy plain, his eyes locked on the hall which was just a few meters away.
As he approached, the atmosphere turned hot and cold at the same time. His insides were freezing but he was sweating. Sweat dried up as it just rolled down his skin.
[ Task Initiated ]
[ Task Tier : 1.2 ]
[ Task Remark : Survive ]
Just as Arthur was contemplating what was happening, the same roar echoed and what he saw made him freeze in shock.