Chapter 6: Extraction or Extinction

With the hostages free, the only thing left is to make it out alive. But the camp is on high alert now, and we won't be able to sneak out unnoticed.

Gunfire erupts outside. The soldiers who weren't distracted by the explosion are regrouping, closing in fast.

System Alert: Multiple Hostiles Incoming. Threat Level: Extreme.

"Stick close," I tell the researchers. "If you fall behind, you die."

They nod, fear etched into their faces. I reload the stolen rifle, gripping it tight. This is going to get ugly.

We burst out of the building, and I activate Adrenal Surge. The world slows down for me as my body moves like lightning. I fire three quick bursts, dropping two soldiers and forcing a third into cover.

System Notification: Adrenal Surge Activated. +50% Speed and Strength.

I grab the closest researcher and shove him forward. "Run!"

We sprint toward the jungle, bullets zipping past us. I fire over my shoulder, keeping the enemy at bay. One of the snipers takes aim, but before he can fire, I put a bullet through his scope.

System Notification: Sniper Neutralized. +200 XP.

We reach the fence, but there's no time to climb. I yank a grenade from my belt, pull the pin, and toss it.

BOOM!

The fence is blown apart, and we scramble through the gap. The jungle swallows us, offering cover from the floodlights and gunfire.

The Final Stand

The extraction point is less than a mile away, but the enemy isn't giving up. They're right on our heels, firing blindly into the trees.

I stop, planting myself between the researchers and the pursuing soldiers. "Keep going!" I bark. "I'll hold them off."

One of the researchers hesitates, but I glare at him. "Go. Now."

They disappear into the jungle, and I turn to face the enemy. My system hums with power, ready to evolve me further if I survive this fight.

The first soldier bursts through the trees, rifle raised. I put him down with a quick burst of fire. The next two follow, but I'm faster. My knife finds the first one's heart, and I snap the other's neck with brutal efficiency.

System Notification: Double Kill. +300 XP.

The rest of the squad falters, realizing they're outmatched. I fire one last burst, driving them into retreat.

Mission Complete

I catch up to the researchers just as the extraction chopper descends, kicking up dirt and leaves. We pile inside, and the door slams shut behind us.

As the chopper lifts off, I glance at the lead scientist—the one responsible for the serum and my evolution system.

"You've got some explaining to do," I say, wiping blood off my hands.

The scientist offers a nervous smile. "You're... not what we expected."

I grin, leaning back into the seat as the jungle disappears below. "No one ever is."

System Notification: Mission Complete. Bonus XP Awarded – 500.

Current XP: 3040/4000. Evolution Path Updated.

The next evolution is calling, and I have a feeling this is just the beginning.