Parasite

Stein was right about Kalira being involved deeply, and it showed quite clearly here.

"Shit."

He shot forward before the parasite could spread any further than it already did. In a single step, he reached the infected townsman before it could touch the next person.

Without thinking about much of anything, he brought a hand down against the infected's neck, sending it flying down into the ground with a loud bang.

He grimaced as the person lay in the pile of rocks and debris.

'I have to be careful with them. There might be a way to solve this.'

In his slight pause, he missed Kalira's movements. The infected mayor swayed quickly from side to side and reached to infect another person. Her hand connected with the back of another town citizen and their eyes turned dead just like the others.

This time around, he could see the step by step process as to how something like a casual touch became an infection.