Chapter 29: Attack from the East 2

November 24, 2058 – Afternoon

The colossal zombie, covered in razor-sharp spikes, stood in the center of the battlefield, releasing a terrifying roar that echoed throughout the camp. All eyes were on the creature, its body faintly glowing under the overcast sky, the spikes on its back shifting as if alive.

"What the hell is that?" Lila gasped, breathing heavily. She stared at the monster, fear and caution mixing in her eyes.

"Don't let it get any closer!" Pan shouted from the defensive wall. "Aim for its spikes! Destroy them before it reaches us!"

But before the first shot was fired, one of the creature's spikes shot out from its back, flying at high speed like an arrow. It struck a watchtower, triggering a small explosion that shook the wooden structure. The guard on top screamed as he fell, followed by panicked cries from the survivors.

"Its spikes explode?!" Rico exclaimed, his eyes widening as he aimed his weapon at the beast.

"It's more than that," Dr. Alaric said, standing behind the group with a tablet in hand. "Those spikes carry some kind of parasite. If they hit a human, the infection is instant."

Hearing that, Pan immediately issued an order. "Everyone, protect yourselves! Don't let those spikes touch anyone!"

A second spike launched, this time piercing the camp's metal fence, leaving a gaping hole. The creature kept advancing, each step shaking the ground. More spikes protruded from its body, ready to be fired.

A Strategy Against the New Monster

Near the gate, Cong searched for a good shooting angle. "Our grenades can slow it down, but we need to get closer!"

"That's too risky," Lila objected. "Its spikes will tear us apart before we even reach it."

"We need a distraction," Pan decided quickly. He turned to Rico. "You and Jenna, use your sniper rifles to draw its attention. Cong and Lila, get the grenades ready and aim for its legs. We need to bring it down before it gets too close."

Rico and Jenna nodded, taking positions on the remaining watchtower. They opened fire on the creature's head. The bullets bounced off its hardened bone, failing to penetrate, but they succeeded in grabbing its attention.

Under the cover of sniper fire, Cong and Lila moved through the rubble surrounding the camp, grenades in hand. As the monster turned toward the gunfire, Cong seized the opportunity and launched a grenade at its left leg.

A powerful explosion rocked the ground, causing the creature to stumble and lose balance. However, its spikes continued to shoot in all directions, forcing the survivors to take cover.

"Hit its body with the second grenade! We need to destroy its main attack source!" Pan commanded.

With perfect accuracy, Lila hurled the second grenade, striking the creature's back. The explosion shattered several of its spikes, but the monster remained standing, though visibly weakened.

"Hurry! Before it gets back up!" Pan urged.

With a coordinated assault from the team and the survivors, the beast finally collapsed. Its massive body crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact, its broken spikes littering the battlefield. Everyone stood still, trying to comprehend what they had just faced.

A Revealed Secret

As the tension eased, Professor Selman emerged from one of the camp's buildings. His face was tense, yet there was a hint of relief in his eyes.

"You did it," he said to Pan and his team. "But this is only the beginning."

Pan fixed his gaze on Selman. "What do you mean? Do you know where that thing came from?"

Selman nodded slowly. "It emerged from a ruined building we discovered while searching for supplies a few days ago. Not just there, but in other places as well."

"Other places?" Rico asked, his voice laced with shock. "What exactly are you talking about?"

Selman let out a heavy sigh. "The lab where you destroyed the host wasn't the only one. There are other hosts scattered across different regions, each controlling the zombies in its area."

The Aegis Squad fell silent. The weight of the revelation hit them hard.

"So you're saying this isn't over?" Pan's voice was low, filled with emotion.

"No," Selman answered. "And with each passing moment, the remaining hosts grow stronger. If we don't eliminate them all, this outbreak will never end."

A Hidden Threat

Before they could fully process the information, a rustling sound came from outside the camp walls. Pan raised his hand, signaling everyone to stay quiet.

"What is that?" Jenna whispered.

From the darkness, blue eyes began to emerge—more than ever before. In the distance, a deep, echoing roar sent shivers down their spines.

"These aren't just ordinary zombies," Lila muttered in panic.

Pan tightened his grip on his weapon. "Everyone, get ready. We're not done yet."