The Predator’s Feast

The beast lunged.

Ryo barely had time to react.

His body moved before his mind could catch up, throwing himself sideways as the monstrous creature tore through the space he had just been standing in.

The wall behind him exploded into debris, chunks of concrete flying past him as he rolled to his feet.

The predator was fast—faster than any normal Hunter.

It wasn't just killing.

It was hunting.

> [System Alert: Predator Engaged.]

Survival Rate: 12%

Ryo didn't need the system to tell him how bad this situation was.

---

The creature was grotesque—half-human, half something else entirely.

Its skin was stretched too tight over its frame, bones protruding unnaturally. Its eyes glowed in the darkness, locked onto Ryo like a wolf sizing up its prey.

And then, it smiled.

A twisted, unnatural grin.

It understands.

Ryo felt a cold sweat run down his back.

This thing wasn't just a beast—it was something else. Something that enjoyed the hunt.

---

"We need to go!" Haruto's voice was nearly a scream.

Ryo's eyes darted to the collapsed rubble behind them.

No exit. No escape.

The woman Hunter was already moving, her stance low, her knife ready.

"Fighting's our only option."

Ryo clenched his jaw.

Fighting something like that?

The predator took a slow step forward, its grin widening.

And then—

> [Main Objective: Survive – 9:02 Remaining]

Ryo's mind raced.

Nine minutes.

Nine minutes of hell.

They couldn't just survive.

They had to kill it.

---

The predator moved first.

It closed the distance in an instant, swiping its clawed hand at Haruto.

Haruto barely dodged, stumbling backward as the claws shredded through the wall like paper.

The woman didn't hesitate—she was already in motion.

Her knife sliced through the air, aiming for the creature's neck.

But the predator's reaction was too fast.

It twisted, catching her arm mid-strike, and threw her across the room.

She crashed into the rubble, coughing blood.

Haruto shouted her name, but Ryo didn't hesitate.

He attacked.

---

Ryo's steel pipe came down with everything he had.

The impact cracked against the predator's skull.

But it didn't even flinch.

Ryo's heart sank.

The predator's grin widened.

> [Warning: Attack Ineffective.]

"Shit—"

The beast's claw came for him next.

He barely dodged.

It swiped again, and this time—

Pain.

A sharp, searing pain shot through Ryo's side.

He gasped, stumbling back, hand pressing against the wound. Blood.

The predator licked its claws, tasting his blood.

And then, it laughed.

Ryo felt a cold chill run through him.

This thing was playing with them.

---

The system screen flashed in front of Ryo.

> [New Scenario: Predator's Weakness]

You have survived 2 minutes.

Triggering special event…

Ryo's breath hitched.

Something changed.

The predator stopped moving.

For the first time, its grin disappeared.

It looked… confused.

And then—

It twitched.

A low growl escaped its throat, and its body began to shake uncontrollably.

The system flashed again.

> [Predator's Weakness Discovered.]

Cause of Mutation: Unstable Evolution.

Temporary Weakness: 60 Seconds.

Ryo's eyes widened.

It was vulnerable.

For one minute.

That was all the time they had.

And if they didn't kill it now—

They wouldn't get another chance.

---

Ryo locked eyes with the woman Hunter.

She understood immediately.

Haruto hesitated, fear gripping him. "Ryo—"

"NOW!"

Ryo moved first.

The woman was right behind him.

The predator tried to move, but its body was still trembling, still resisting the instability caused by its mutation.

Ryo didn't think.

He acted.

He swung his weapon with everything he had.

The woman's knife found its mark.

Haruto, finally breaking free of his fear, grabbed a nearby broken rebar—and stabbed the beast through the chest.

The predator let out a piercing shriek.

Its body convulsed—

And then—

It stopped moving.

---

> [Predator Eliminated.]

Survival Rate: +20%

Ryo gasped for air, dropping his steel pipe.

His body ached.

Blood dripped from his wound, but he forced himself to stay standing.

The system flashed again.

> [Scenario Cleared: The Prey's Awakening]

You have killed a predator before the time limit expired.

Reward: 500 Coins.

> [New Information Unlocked.]

The "Predators" are not part of the game's original design.

Something… is interfering.

Ryo's eyes narrowed.

Not part of the game?

Something was changing.

And whatever it was—

It was watching them.