Chapter 6.2: Creepy Crawler Part 2

Kael (jaw tight): "What the hell—what is that thing?!"

Asha (cutting through the chaos): "Designation: Crawler. Apex Mutation Variant. Origin: Human—identity unrecoverable. Attributes include residual muscle memory, enhanced predator instincts, and fragmented neural cohesion. Functions on semi-autonomous pack behavior. Specialized in stealth ambush, rapid strikes, Reactivation triggers: Movement, sound and blood."

[SKILL PASSIVE: Mutated Fauna Combat Basics – ACTIVATED]

[Analyzing behavior patterns…]

[Weakness detected: Rear flank—spine joint exposed after lunge.]

[Aggression state: High.]

[Mobility forecast: irregular due to spinal fracture.]

[Evasion bonus: +5%]

[Target prediction assisted by Asha.]

Sera, eyes burning with determination, adjusted her grip on the Pulse-Lance. Her fingers still trembled slightly.

Sera (voice low but steely): "That thing is far from being a human anymore."

She glanced at the ceiling vents, where faint skitters echoed.

Sera (muttering): "And it's not alone, is it…?"

Rosa (wide-eyed, backing toward the flank): "Just tell me it's alone—please tell me it doesn't have any minions."

Kael (grim): "Asha…?"

Asha: "Negative. Thermal imaging confirms many heat signatures. Eleven separate vectors. Closing in. Proximity breach: 40 meters and falling."

Clara, barely able to speak, reached for Kael's arm. Her fingers clutched tightly, digging into his sleeve with trembling hands.

Clara (voice cracking, near tears): "K-Kael… they're everywhere… what do we do…?"

Her voice was a whisper of pure terror, that pressed close to him.

Kael gritted his teeth.

Kael (softly, to himself): "I won't let anyone die."

The Crawler lifted its head, a wet gurgling screech rising from its chest-mouth. The gaping maw split wide with a sickening click-pop. Its jawbone dislocates further than any human should survive. Acidic saliva hissed against the floor as it dripped from its fangs and smoke rising where it landed.

Asha: Chemical pheromone release detected. Alert: This unit may be signaling others. Countdown to coordinated swarm: 170 seconds.

Kael stepped forward, putting himself between Clara and the mutated monster, pipe ready.

Kael (muttering): "I need to end this before the others get here…"

[Mutated Fauna Combat Basics: Behavior loop recognized. Predictable lunge pattern identified.]

[Counter Option: Strafe left, weapon arc from high angle to base of spine.]

[Chance of dismemberment: 64%. Critical suppression: HIGH.]

Kael tightened his grip on his pipe, and his eyes burning with that same iron resolve.

His heart pounded, a war drum in his chest, but his will refused to break.

The Crawler's jaws opened wider, with a sickening click***, revealing fangs dripping with acid.

It screamed- SKKKKKRREEEEEEEEEEEEE-AHK-CHHHHKKKKK!!

The sound rattled the ceiling panels, and then a scream filtered through the air.

Everyone flinched. Clara covered her ears with a sob.

Rosa (covering her ears): "...Ugghhh..make it stop!" Rosa's cheerfulness was gone and replaced by a terror in front of her.

The Crawler lunged, its claws slashing and its chest-mouth snapping toward Kael.

Asha:"Critical warning: This creature is highly intelligent. Do not allow flanking maneuvers."

Kael (urgently, eyes flicking to Sera): Sera! Can you draw its attention? I'll get around it—try for the back!"

Sera's eyes widened slightly. Her hands shook, but she raised the VX-07 Pulse-Lance, the weapon humming with pent-up energy. The targeting reticles aligned.

Sera (snapping): "Y-you think I need you to tell me that?! I know what I'm doing!"

The moment the Crawler turned its twisted head toward her—

Sera (roaring with fierce resolve): "HEY! UGLY! COME GET SOME!"

She fired. KA-BRAAM!

The plasma bolt roared from the barrel, lighting up the corridor. The recoil kicked back harder than she expected—throwing Sera off her feet and onto the metal floor.

Sera (flat on her back, groaning): "O-ow...t-that hurts..."

The blast slammed into the Crawler's torso, vaporizing part of its chest plating. Its scream split the air.

But it wasn't dead. Not enough.

The Crawler screeched again. Its mouth is wide—drooling with sizzling venom that hissed across the scorched metal floor.

Kael skidded across the deck crouching, and moving behind the monster while its focus remained locked on Sera.

[HUD UPDATE – ENEMY VITAL POINT IDENTIFIED]

[Target: Lower Spinal Cluster – Junction L5 to S1]

[Damage Multiplier: x2.3]

[Pipe Durability: 15% — Last Viable Strike Detected]

Asha: "Strike at the lower spinal socket. Estimated integrity compromised by 41%. One clean hit will sever its movement relay. Pipe integrity: one use remaining. Make it count, Kael."

Kael (under breath, focused): "Okay… okay, now or never."

His eyes narrowed as he focused on the targeting overlay that pulsed at the base of the creature's spine on his HUD.

[Skill Activated – Mutated Fauna Combat Basics Lv. 1]

[+5% Critical Chance vs. known target

+10% Evasion vs. mutated predator patterns

Enhanced analysis: Movement rhythm – readable.]

[Assisted Aim Engaged – Melee Calibration Sync: 98%]

Asha: "Trajectory Calculated. Adjusting stance. Rotate your left knee at 7°. Apply downward force at the apex of the arc."

Kael moved.

His pipe rose behind his shoulder like a warrior's final blow—and for a heartbeat, everything slowed.

The Crawler hissed, its torso twitch from behind as if sensing danger—but it was too late.

Kael (roaring): "STAY—AWAY—FROM—THEM!!"

[Combat Art – Desperate Strike – ACTIVATED]

He brought the pipe down with all his might, and raw desperation behind the swing. The steel shaft is connected with a sickening CRUNCH—like stone splitting under pressure.

The strike slammed directly into the exposed spinal node.

The bone snapped and black liquid exploded.

[Critical Hit!]

[Crawler Paralysis: 100% Confirmed.

Mobility: Offline. Combat Function: Terminated.

Weapon Durability: 0% – PIPE DESTROYED.]

The Crawler's limbs went rigid. Its scream died, and it slumped to the floor in a twitching heap—mouth agape. Its last breath oozing some acid smoke and making the sound of death.

Kael stumbled back, chest heaving and the bloody pipe bent beyond use in his hand.

Asha (flatly): "Target neutralized. Congratulations, Kael. You've officially killed something with less than one percent chance of survival. Again."

A moment of silence fell, broken only by Kael's ragged breathing and the dull ping of the destroyed pipe clattering to the floor.

Sera (soft, from behind): "…You actually pulled it off."

Kael (half-grinning, panting): "Y-yeah.. "

The stench of the Crawler's body sizzled against the steel floor behind them, and the air smelled of rotting and burning metal.

Suddenly, the hall trembled.

Then the shrieks began.

SKKKKRREEEEEEEEE-CHAK-CHHK!!

Kael turned his head and saw the shadows move—too many limbs, Clambering over the walls like a tide of living nightmares.

Asha (sharply): "Warning: Apex variants detected—rear quadrant breach. 13 confirmed signatures. Estimated contact in 35 seconds."

Kael (shouting): "GO! GO! Don't look back!"

His heart bumped rapidly in his chest. Clara clutched her toolkit, her legs barely keeping pace. Rosa was panting hard, blood trailing from a shallow cut on her cheek. Sera's grip on the plasma rifle, her silver hair matted to her neck with sweat.

A crawler's shriek echoed from the vent above.

Kael (roaring): "GO TO THE LEFT! at the Junction now!"

They turned—metal screeched overhead as a crawler slammed into the ceiling grate, denting it inward inches from where Rosa had passed.

Rosa (terrified): "They're above us—they're in the GODDAMN CEILINGS!"

Kael: "Asha—w-where do we go!?"

His HUD flared –

[PATHFINDER MODE: ACTIVE]

> Command Wing – 92 meters. Right Corridor. Hazard: Partial Collapse. Debris Detour Initiated. Estimated ETA: 33 Seconds.

Asha: "Redirected. Brace for unstable footing. If you trip, you die."

The corridor buckled beneath them—something massive slamming into the far wall as they rounded a corner.

Clara stumbled, but Kael caught her quick from behind.

Clara (choking, breathless): "I-I'm slowing you down l-leave me—!"

Kael (tight breath): "Not a chance! Just hang on!"

Another shriek— its closer this time.

SKRRRRRAK! SKITTER-CLACK-CLACK!

Sera twisted her body and fired blind behind them. The plasma lance shrieked, lighting the corridor like a sunrise.

KA-BAAAAAAAAAAAAM!

Screams followed—inhuman. Like broken radios screaming through shredded throats, the Crawlers surged forward with twitching limbs and jerking spasms, their joints are cracking in reverse.

Eyes rolled white in hollow sockets, and their mouths—blooming grotesquely from their chests and stomachs—gaped wide with hunger and madnes.

They closed in—a tide of twisted, former humans hell-bent on dragging them into the dark.

Sera (panting, shouting): "I'll buy you time—you better make them count!"

Kael slammed his hand against the Command Wing door panel—it didn't open.

Asha: "Secondary lock still active. Recommend: Clara to manual override required. 15 seconds before contact."

Kael: "Clara! It's still locked, Asha said you need to manual override! 14 seconds before they get here!"

Clara: "I-I—o-okay,—just keep them b-back!"

Clara dropped to her knees beside the locked Command Wing panel, her hands trembling—but only for a second. Fear didn't freeze her.

She yanked a bypass cable from her toolkit, sweat dripping down her brow as she jammed it into the corroded access port.

Clara (breathless, muttering):

"O-okay… old V-vault-Tec firmware... Please don't fry…"

Her fingers began to move—fast and fluid. They danced across the manual keypad with the grace of a pianist, striking keys in rapid succession, triggering maintenance overrides. Her fingers moved on their own, guided by instinct and pure muscle memory in motion.

Asha: "Subject Clara's typing speed exceeds 110 keystrokes per 10 seconds. Suggest nickname: 'Code Witch'."

Rosa (half-laughing throughout the panic):

"What the hell is she?!"

Kael glanced back—the Crawlers were almost on them. One was clinging to the ceiling, its claws carving deep furrows into the steel as it prepared to leap.

Rosa (gritting her teeth): "Come on… Come on you ancient rust-bucket open up!"

Asha: "Kael, 5 second before contact!"

Rosa (screaming): "THEY'RE COMING!!"

Clara: "Got it!"

The door slid open.

Kael threw Clara inside, followed by Rosa and Sera. He dived in last—just as a claw slashed the frame, leaving a scorching, hissing gash across the door.

The door slammed shut.

The howls outside were deafening.

BOOM. BOOM.

Metal groaned as something slammed into the other side.

Clara collapsed to her knees, she was panting then offered a weak smile.

Asha: "Current survival probability has risen from 12% to 38%. Congratulations. You're only mildly doomed.

Kael leaned back against the cold steel, chest heaving, eyes darting to each of them—all alive and terrified.

But they made it.

____________________

[STATUS SCREEN – UPDATE COMPLETE]

[Kael - Subject-01]

Level: 6

EXP: 120 / 1000

HP: 64 / 90

Stamina: 52 / 100

Core Attributes:

STR (Strength): 19.77 → 24.77

Influences melee damage, physical lifting, pipe combat, and strike momentum.

DEX (Dexterity): 4.22 → 6.22

Affects precision, aiming with improvised or advanced weapons.

AGI (Agility): 10.50 → 15.50

Increases movement speed, dodge chance, and reaction timing.

END (Endurance): 12.00 → 14.00

Increases HP, resistance to fatigue, and stamina regen.

RES (Resilience): 11.80 → 13.80

Reduces damage taken from physical, environmental, and toxin sources.

PER (Perception): 12.60 → 17.60

Enhances awareness, enemy detection, HUD accuracy, weak point identification.

Skills:

Night Vision (Passive Lv. 1)

Amplifies low-light visibility; shadows become crisp, outlines glow faintly. Minor energy drain while active.

Stealth (Passive Lv. 1)

Reduces noise, thermal presence, and movement visibility. Boosts evasion in shadowy or cluttered environments.

Tsundere Radar (Passive Lv. 1)

Social intuition skill. Helps interpret contradictory cues from tsundere-type individuals. Low success rate. May trigger backlash.

Basic First Aid (Active Lv. 3 → 63%)

Now faster to apply and slightly reduces stamina drain. Heals minor-to-moderate wounds, stabilizes bleeding, usable mid-combat.

Melee Weapon Mastery (Lv. 5 → 58.4%)

Strike accuracy, speed, combo potential significantly improved.

Adds 5% crit chance with blunt/bladed weapons.

Athletics – Basic Strength Feats (Lv. 2 → 30.0%)

Allows above-average breaking, throwing, lifting actions. Improves door-forcing and object manipulation in crises.

Mutated Fauna Combat Basics (Lv. 1 → 70.1%)

Unlocked targeting pattern recognition. Bonus evasion vs. Crawlers & similar mutants. Displays weak points, stun windows, and pack behavior tendencies.

Combat Art: Desperate Strike (Cooldown: 1 minute)

A reckless, high-impact finishing blow. Accuracy and crit chance increase at low HP. Leaves users vulnerable on miss.

Instinct Surge (Active Lv. 2)

Duration: 10s | Cooldown: 5 minutes

Temporarily boosts STR, AGI, PER by +30%. Triggers tunnel vision and hyper-focus.

New: HUD now synchronizes predictive movement lines.

Accidental Harem Magnet (Passive – Max Lv. 5)

+25% chance for "accidental ecchi scenarios."

+15% affinity gain in emotionally tense or awkward moments.

Harem Synergy Pulse (Active): +5% affinity to all members (Cooldown: 24h)

[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED]

(Predator Instinct (Passive Lv. 1 – 56.0%)

Developed through high-adrenaline survival in predatory combat. Alerts users to concealed enemies and ambush patterns. Slight time dilation during critical threat detection. Enhances perception of terrain danger zones, blood trails, and intent.)

Group Affinities (Based on choices, actions, combat rescue)

Seraphina Valerius: 42 → 49 / 100

Leadership Synergy: +20% team coordination when Sera gives a command.

Clara Vance: 45 → 59 / 100

Morale Boost: +25% group stamina regen. Combat Rescuer bonus activated.

Rosalie Thorne: 45 → 47 / 100

Evasion Bonus: +15% agility vs. packing enemies when fighting near Rosa.

Morale: 90%