Grotesque Monster (3/3) (How to kill a Stage 2)
[DAY 10]
Hi...cough...I'm Neo...cough...cough...nice to meet you." said Neo half-smiling.
...
Donatien the muscle head is about 2 meters tall, has short black hair and light brown eyes. He looked at Neo with a smile on his lips, he carries a large battle ax in one hand and in the other he carries a large shield that could fit two people underneath. He quickly positioned himself in front of Neo and the others at the entrance to the apartment.
Meram, on the other hand, only looked at Neo briefly and then he looked at the Stage 2 undead. His eyes were cold as ice and he ready his weapon which he wears around his hips. A 70 cm silver katana still in its holster.
Ninette didn't even look at Neo and instead she shot a bunch of arrows at the stage 2. She saw where Neo was shooting his pistol at everywhere earlier and realized that the Stage 2's mouth isn't that reinforced compared to the rest of his body. So she aimed her bow at the mouth.
Elly on the other hand looked strangely worried at Neo and bent down to help him up and examine the wound on his chest.
...
'What the hell! Why are they all ignoring me! Damn, I'm saving your ugly pig asses here and you'll thank me for that! ... hahah ... wait and see how I will later take everything you have from you weapons, goods your moms ... hmpm'
thought Neo with an ice-cold look
'What does that woman want from me, go away!' Neo thought when Elly bent down to him. But he said with a half-smile "Ah, I'm fine, the thing just surprised me a bit, please aim the shotgun in your hand into the monster's mouth, he's not armored there."
Elly nodded and kind of sad for some kind of reason and walked toward the door with the shotgun in both hands.
...
'Woman why do you look so sad? I got sliced by that monster! Not you' Neo thought.
Neo then said "AI do you have a report for me?"
Neo spoke openly with the AI, especially since using an artificial intelligence is nothing strange in this era as artificial intelligence are used publicly and basically everywhere. Furthermore, he sees no reason to keep her existence a secret.
However, of course he won't tell anyone that he himself is an undead. That would be plain stupid and he would have to kill everyone who gets to know of it.
His only exception would maybe be his mother. He trust and loves her if he gets strong enough to protect her he wouldn't mind to tell her everything about himself. To be honest he doesn't like to tell lies, as it makes situations just unnecessary complex.
...
"Host the report is 58% complete. Does Host want to hear the report?" the AI asked in her robotic voice.
"No just tell me if you know the types of the Stage 2" answered Neo while examining the wound on his chest. It's been about 2 minutes since Neo was thrown into the apartment and the wound has closed itself.
The Stage 2 is currently under constant attack the shotgun and bow shoot from the distance, while each of the Stage 2's attacks so far have been stopped by Donatien and his shield . That guy is a real tank huh... maybe I should take his shield later. It seems pretty strong defending against a Stage 2's attack.
Meram, on the other hand, attacks the armpits of the 4 remaining arms with every little bareness from Stage 2, that's where the weak point of the arms seems to be and that's the only reason Neo was able to cut off the two arms at all, earlier.
...
"Ai understood Host. The results suggest that the Stage 2 has at least 2 types. Type: *defense* and one type that allows the Stage 2 to merge with external elements and materials, I call the type: *Transmutation*. If my data are correct, this means that the Stage 2 can fuse with materials of any kind, that's how the blades of the Stage 2 can be explained, however, such a fusion must require vast amounts of energy, it will probably need to be constantly eating food, otherwise it will become weaker over time.
"Mhm ... interesting and what about his teeth do you think that's also his transmutation ability? Or is that a third type ... no that is not possible, that guy can't be that lucky ... can he? ... three abilities? And then also an op ability like transmutation? ... Never !" muttered Neo to himself, somehow sadden.
"AI has insufficient data to draw any further conclusions."
said the AI in her robotic voice.
"Sigh" Neo sighed as he checked his weapon and took two Molotov cocktails out of his backpack he has carting around till now, on his back.
"Well time to start the real fight. Hey guys get ready I'm going to distract that thing and you try to take your people out, the brown little house across the street is clean and I've got some water and food in there for 2 days stowed away. I will distract that thing, and you will flee there. If I don't show up there after two days, just leave." Neo said while lighting the two Molotov cocktails.
"What? We don't even know you? Why should we trust you ! Why would you sacrifice yourself for us?" said Ninette suddenly.
But Neo didn't react to her and walked towards the Stage 2 calmly.
"I trust him, I mean why should he harm us if he saved us before. Besides, we have to get out of here. There are 4 children and a pregnant woman in that room. We have to get them to safety!" said Elly suddenly while pointing to a room in the apartment and then reloaded the shotgun. She's out of ammunition by now.
"Come on you two, she's right. Get ready to flee as long as he distracts the monster. We don't stand a chance against it and we absolutely have to rest or we will die anyways" said Meram, with a trembling voice.
...
Ninette decided to help Elly and they both took the children and the pregnant woman out of the room and went to the entrance to the apartment.
...
Neo didn't answer Ninette and got the two Molotov cocktails ready. The Stage 2, feeling Neo's presence, jumps at Neo with his mouth wide open.
Neo, on the other hand, only smiles about the actions of the Stage 2 'Aahh...dangerous but also stupid' thought Neo with a smile while he threw the burning Molotov cocktails into the Stage 2's mouth.
"Boom" went the Molotov cocktails in the burning mouth of the beast. And the noises it makes now sound like a tortured animal screaming for forgiveness.
"errreeeeeeerre"
"Oh... does that hurt my little one? Don't worry the pain will stop soon... HAAHAHHAHAHAH!" screamed Neo as he ran towards Stage 2.
...
The Stage 2 has never felt pain since the beginning of its existence, nor has it ever been afraid in its short life. But when it felt Neo's presence for the first time and when Neo cut off his arms... he felt pain, that alien feeling made it scared.
Fear of no longer being the hunter who kills his prey. But to become the prey of another hunter.
Instinctively the monster ran to the end of the hallway and jumped up the stairs.
...
When Neo saw the Stage 2 flee, his laughing stops shortly...
"Where are you going! You can't run away from ME! Come to daddy and let me EAT YOU!!!" screamed Neo maniacally as he ran after the Stage 2. But first he took the ax he put aside at the beginning in both hands and ran afterwards continued his pursuit.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... Your daddy is coming for you!!" screamed Neo insanely and one could hear is voice through the whole building.
...
When the others saw the Stage 2 that gave them trouble running away from Neo, their world briefly flipped. What's happening right now? Has the world gone completely insane? Why is the monster running away from Neo? Didn't he want to sacrifice himself for them so that they could escape? ...
It doesn't look like Neo is sacrificing himself for them. Neo looks like a certain american serial killer chasing after his prey with a chainsaw...
...
"What the hell? What is Neo? A demon?" Meram, who is usually silent and cold, wondered loudly.
One of the children, a little girl, pointed in Neo's direction and said "Uwwaaa, big bad wolf... that brother is like the wolf from the story I like so much."
Unconsciously everyone nodded and then they went to the place Neo described to them. They really need a break now.
...
Meanwhile, Neo kept running after Stage 2, screaming and laughing some more. Until the Stage 2 arrived at the top floor. The Stage 2 ran straight into a large apartment, yanking the doors with him, and this time Neo slowed down a bit but continued to follow it into the apartment.
The apartment should probably be the largest in the house. The hallway of the apartment alone is larger than Elly's entire apartment below.
The Stage 2 ran straight into the living room. But Neo looked around the apartment for a moment.
This apartment must have belonged to someone who was damn rich and liked swords before the apocalypse, because all the walls had swords of different sizes, widths and cultures on them.
Another interesting thing is that there is blood all over the hallway, on the walls, and even on the roof, and Neo could almost eat the sweet stench of brains and organs in the air.
'That must be his nest and there's a good chance I'll be at a disadvantage here if I fight him.' Neo thought to himself while licking his lips. Neo then put the backpack on the ground and grabbed the two remaining Molotov cocktails. He placed them both near the entrance to the living room and put the bag behind a sofa. After that he entered the living room with his ax in both hands.
...
As soon as he entered the living room, he knew where the sweet smell was coming from. In the living room there were countless corpses some missing arms or legs while others were completely dismembered or had no head. What surprised Neo were a few undead corpses among them.
'Did the Stage 2 hunt other undead? Why?' Neo wondered when he saw the bodies.
However, Neo didn't had time to answer this question because the Stage 2 suddenly jumped down on Neo from the ceiling above him. he has two of his bladed hands stretched out towards Neo and he just misses slicing off Neo's arms by a hair's breadth.
...
Neo reacted quickly as he registered the Stage 2's attack and rolled forward, narrowly dodging the attack.
Neo may possess enhanced senses, but compared to the Stage 2 body, which has about twice the fusion rate between humans and Virus DNA, is not weaker than Neo and was even able to trap Neo.
...
However, Neo's escape route was cut off by the trap and he can't get his Molotov cocktails at the entrance now.
Furthermore, the Stage 2's attack isn't over yet and he strikes at Neo again with his sword arms.
"SSSSSHHHH" the two blades made when they hit Neo.
Neo wasn't so lucky this time and was sliced in his arm and stomach. His left arm has been severed from his body and his stomach has a deep wound.
'F*ck' Neo thought to himself and retreated a few steps back so that he could gain time for his regeneration.
'Avoidance is required now. I have to dodge and defend every attack for about 2 minutes until my regeneration takes effect.' thought Neo
"Host, the win probability has been calculated. It is 12.5%" said the AI suddenly.
"Sh*t further good news." said Neo sarcastically.
But at that moment the attack came again, two blades, one from the left and the other from the right, made their way towards Neo's head and legs.
This time Neo focused completely on the Stage 2 and was able to dodge the attacks and jumped a little to the left.
However, from the direction of the Stage 2, the stinger suddenly came alive and attacked Neo from the left.
Neo, was in the air as the stinger came for his head, he bent his body and dodged the attack narrowly.
Neo then turned in the air and hit the hard stinger with his ax. It did no damage but he regained his balance in the air and dodged the next attack from the Stage 2 sword arm.
...
The fight went on like this for about 2 minutes, with Neo defending and dodging the Stage 2's attacks.
Neo's wounds have now closed. Only his left arm will take longer before it fully regenerates.
'Mhm... it's about time for the counterattack, Neo thought to himself as he dodged the Stage 2's stinger again while he picked up two Molotov cocktails on the ground and quickly lit them.
The Stage 2 knew what Neo wanted to do and he attempted to defend his mouth with his wide stinger this time. But Neo was faster and jumped in air and threw the two burning bottles into its mouth. The Stage 2's mouth started to burn again and it cried in pain, which still surprised Neo.
'Why does the Stage 2 feel pain? He's undead' asked Neo briefly and then used his chance to attack and ran towards the Stage 2.
He slipped between the bladed arms again and slammed the ax against two bladed arms that were on the left side of Stage 2. Both bladed arms were severed from the Stage 2 again and the ax is still whole, a little bent, but still whole.
Without hesitation, Neo jumped back up and attacked the other two bladed arms. Unfortunately, the Stage 2 dodged and he missed his attack. With his spike on the ground to replace his two bladed arms, the Stage 2 could still walk.
The fight is now in its final round. It's the last chance for both of them. All or nothing, who will survive and who will be eaten?
...
Neo decided to attack, although the Stage 2's mouth is no longer burning, the pain should still limit the Stage 2.
Neo jumps onto the wide stinger and runs along it towards the direction of the Stage 2's two arms. But would the Stage 2 allow that so easily? NO!
With a powerful swing of his spike, Neo flew mid air towards the glassed windows in the living room and he shattered it while he flew through them.
"KRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAA" the sound of broken glass could be heard and Neo landed on the large terrace of the apartment, where there was also a large pool.
The Stage 2 jumped right after and landed just a few meters away from Neo who was trying to get up quickly.
However, it was too later the stinger sliced Neo, severing Neo's body in two.
"SLLLLLLIIT" made the cut that separated Neo from his groin downwards. His legs are gone now and that should seal Neo's fate.
...
'F*ck... I'm dead..
F*CK No, not like that...' Neo thought to himself. But his thoughts were interrupted by the Stage 2's bladed arms, which threw Neo into the pool.
Neo, who just got thrown in the pool, is going over all his options he has left...
'No, don't think to rashly, what else can I do. The ax is broken. My pistol is by my lower body... otherwise... my claws if I pull them out at the right time I can still win.' thought Neo desperately.
The Stage 2 stabbed one of its bladed arms through Neo's chest, lifting him out of the pool. The Stage 2 wants to eat Neo's head and therefore brings Neo's body closer to his mouth.
But then Neo aims his right hand in the direction of the Stage 2 and his claws shoot out of his hand and he slices open the inside of the Stage 2.
"KRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
screamed the stage 2 as it hits Neo with its stinger again and throws him back into the apartment.
Where Neo flew completely through the living room and towards the hallway.
"Booom" went as Neo slammed into a sofa in the hallway.
...
Neo has used all his cards and has no more left. But the Stage 2 is still alive and made its way towards Neo as quickly as possible.
As Neo saw the Stage 2 approaching, he became more and more desperate.
'Forgive me mother. I can't see you again. Father I'm sorry I couldn't avenge you.' Neo thought desperately.
But then suddenly the AI cried out
"HOST QUICKLY SHOOT THE TASER IN THE BACKPACK IN HIS MOUTH!!!!!" the AI yelled in an uncharacteristically emotional voice.
Neo didn't hesitate and reached into his pocket and grabbed the taser with his right hand.
But then the Stage 2 was in front of Neo and opened its mouth to rip off Neo's hand. Neo then saw a large brain in its mouth where he cut the Stage 2. Then the Stage 2 bit and Neo could feel his hand being ripped to pieces. But Neo was able to pull the trigger and the taser shot straight at the Stage 2's mouth.
"TTTTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS" the taser went as it hit the Stage 2's brain and the Stage 2 jumped back, but couldn't do anything else. With a few steps backwards, the Stage 2 fell on the floor in the living room...
Silence.
"Is he... is he dead?" asked Neo.
"Yes, I'm not measuring anymore vital signs. He should finally be dead."
said the AI obligingly.
... ... ...
"HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH"
"HAAAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH"
"HHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHH"
screamed Neo louder and more viciously than ever.
"That was damn tight... Sigh" Neo sighed.
"Host shouldn't celebrate too soon. If I'm sure, host injuries are too many even for the virus." said the AI suddenly.
...
"What, am I still going to die?" muttered Neo quietly.
"Not necessarily Host just needs more virus in his body. The Stage 2 crystal should do the trick." replied the AI.
...
Silence.
"WHAT... why don't you say that right away, I thought my story would end here... F*ck!" Neo yelled loudly.
The AI didn't answer and Neo decided to head towards the Stage 2 corpse. But how is he supposed to do that?
His arms and legs are all gone and he can't even crawl...
... ... ...
In desperation, Neo decided to turn his teeth into shark like teeth, which he used to bite the wooden floor and made his way towards the stage 2 and after 20 minutes he arrived at the corpse.
"F*ck, if you don't taste good, I am going to kill you again you piece of shit!" yelled Neo one last time before jumping into the Stage 2's mouth and eating the entire brain including the purple crystal.
...
What will happen after Neo eats the Stage 2?
...