A Deadly Bargain

The bull-headed abomination's rampage gradually subsided, its massive, bloated body slumping to the ground as if weakened. Some of the sharper-eyed hunters noticed something peculiar.

"Captain, it's eating dirt!" one of the team members shouted in alarm.

Sienna wasted no time. She sprinted forward, her blood-red greatsword gleaming in the sunlight, and swung it with immense power. Logan followed close behind, his claws ready to strike. They had thought the creature was finally at a disadvantage, but even now, it was feasting on the very ground.

Thankfully, their swift reaction came just in time. The beast had barely begun its grotesque meal when Sienna's blade cleaved through one of its horns with a loud crack, the sharp edge leaving a clean, smooth cut. The beast howled in pain.

Logan leaped onto its massive face, his claws digging into the grotesque eye socket, shredding the soft tissue inside. Within moments, the creature's left eye was a ruined mess.

The abomination reeled from the assault, its head thrashing as it sprayed black, corrosive liquid in every direction, trying desperately to fend off the attackers. It was blinded and in agony, but its sheer size and unpredictable movements made it a dangerous foe.

Sienna danced around the thrashing limbs with deadly precision, her greatsword carving deep gashes into its thick hide. Meanwhile, Logan focused on its ear, unleashing a terrifying howl directly into the monster's skull. The sonic assault sent the beast into further disarray, blood and black liquid oozing from its facial orifices.

Sienna prepared for the finishing blow, her blade glowing with a fierce crimson aura as she raised it high. But before she could strike, a voice interrupted.

"Hold your blade! Killing it will cause a catastrophe!"

In the empty expanse of Eastlake Park, a well-dressed young man strolled into view, walking calmly as though he were out for a leisurely afternoon. He showed no fear, despite the chaos around him.

It was Zack, the mastermind behind the entire scheme.

Logan growled, his instincts flaring. "He's the one who unleashed this thing!" he warned Sienna, his claws still dripping with the beast's ichor.

Sienna's blade hovered just above the abomination's neck. "Why shouldn't I kill it?" she demanded, her voice cold and unyielding.

Zack smiled calmly, adjusting his cufflinks. "Every creature has its quirks. This little 'bull' is no different. Right now, there are a few thousand infected people across the city—those bite victims? They're all tied to this thing's survival."

"You think you can blackmail us with that?" Sienna's eyes burned with fury, her grip on the hilt of her sword tightening. The weight of Zack's threat was undeniable, but her resolve was firm.

"I'm not here to blackmail you, darling," Zack said with a mocking tone. "I'm here to make a deal. You're smart enough to understand that, just like our lupine friend here."

The mention of Logan made the air tense. Cooperation with an intelligent creature like Logan was one thing, but bargaining with the man responsible for the chaos? That was a different matter entirely.

"What kind of deal are you offering?" Sienna asked, her voice laced with contempt. "Even if it means sacrificing a few thousand infected people, we can't let this monster roam free. It could destroy the entire city!"

Zack's smile widened. "Ah, but here's the catch. If you kill this bull, every one of those infected people will immediately transform into smaller versions of it. Thousands of rampaging abominations, all at once."

"Bastard!" one of the hunters cursed, his face twisted in fury. "You filthy coward! You're threatening our entire city!"

Zack's smile never wavered as he endured the barrage of insults from the team. "I'm not here to threaten. I'm here to negotiate. If you let this creature live, I'll give you time—time to contain the infected, time to manage the situation."

"You're lying," Logan snarled. His sharp instincts told him there was more to this than Zack was letting on. "Those small versions would be easier for you to control. You're using this beast to cover something bigger."

Zack's facade cracked for a split second, but he recovered quickly, offering a casual shrug. "Perhaps, but I'm still offering you the best deal you're going to get."

Sienna's sword inched closer to the creature's neck. "You think I care about your games? We can't let this thing live."

"That's where you're mistaken," Zack replied, pulling out his phone. "What if I were to show the world that you and your hunters have been working with a 'monster' like him?" He pointed casually toward Logan, his phone screen showing a video of the battle—Logan fighting alongside the hunters. "Wouldn't that make your job a little harder?"

Sienna glanced at the phone, unbothered. "You think we're afraid of that? The Bureau will make sure your video never sees the light of day."

Zack's smirk faltered, but only for a moment. He clearly hadn't anticipated such a cold response.