Chương 7: What Just Happened

Joe felt his foot land on the ground in front of him. He was finally back. He thought excitedly. He felt a lurch in his stomach as he exited the Gate. It was a weird feeling, but it passed quickly. He glanced to his side, spotting Kai and Hakeem standing nearby, their gazes darting around the surroundings. But something was wrong. He frowned, his heart sinking as he took in the unfamiliar scene. Where am I? He looked down at a pile of stones by his feet. The ground beneath them cracked and slanted.

He saw the hand of a child's doll, burnt and broken, nearby. His gaze strayed to a car that lay on its side. Windows broken and doors missing. He saw strange jagged tears along the side of the vehicle, as if something with huge claws had swiped at it. The air smelled old and dusty. He turned around in shock, not understanding what he was seeing. He looked at the nearest building. A door hung askance on one hinge. It looked like a small gust of wind could drag it away at any moment.

Every window was shattered, the walls cracked, with whole sections missing. There was not a single thing he could see that wasn't broken. In front of him stood Hakeem's flat, its entire top half missing.

"Holy shit!" He said as a system message appeared at the top of his sight. System Message Tutorial gates cleared 0/100 Tutorial Failed All gates have been breached. World 43 has failed Integration into the Multiverse. Current Humans alive. 1, 000, 318, 423… 422… 421… What the hell had happened?

"Guys," Kai exclaimed.

"What…" Joe, Kai, and Hakeem stood in shock. They had just stepped out of the gate, and the tutorial failed? How was that even possible? They were only gone for just over two months. Shouldn't there be more time? How had this happened? These thoughts raced through Joe's mind. He looked at his two friends. They were missing something important. There has to be some kind of explanation.

"Guys, let's try to find some shelter. Or some people. Maybe if we find someone, we can figure out what the hell is going on." Joe tried to be positive. Even though inside, he was terrified. One billion people left alive? And the number was constantly going down. Are people dying right now?

"ROAR!!!!" The deafening roar shook the ground and rattled their very bones. All three instinctively clutched their ears, crouching against the overwhelming force of the sound. They turned toward its source, and terror gripped their faces. A colossal lion emerged from behind a broken building roughly one hundred metres from them. Its white fur glistened like snow under a harsh sun. Towering over two metres tall, it exuded raw power and primal menace.

It was the largest lion Joe had ever seen, slightly smaller than an elephant, and its piercing eyes were locked onto them.

"Move!" Joe yelled, panic surging through his voice. He shoved Kai to the side and dove in the opposite direction, his body reacting faster than he ever thought possible. He moved with a speed and strength that defied logic, his muscles surging with newfound power. Was this the effect of his stat increase? There was no time to wonder. The lion landed with a thunderous crash where he had stood a moment before. Joe could barely keep track of its movement; it was faster than anything so large had a right to be.

If he had hesitated for even a fraction of a second, he would already be dead. His instincts took over. He focused and summoned his quarterstaff from his storage ring, the weapon materializing in his right hand. With a thought, he activated Mana-Coating. A radiant glow enveloped his body and staff as mana flowed around him, fortifying his resolve. Why had he done that? He knew he had been the one to activate his skill, but it felt almost like an automatic response. It was like something deep inside made him react.

This turned out to be a blessing. The Lion turned towards him, its massive jaw flexing as it unleashed another deafening roar. The sheer force of it struck him like a hammer, sending him hurtling backwards into a crumbling wall. Pain erupted along his spine as he crashed into the stone, and a guttural grunt escaped his lips. Darkness threatened to claim him, but something kept him conscious, a flicker of determination or perhaps sheer survival instinct.

His thought briefly flicked to the egg nestled between his back and the wall. By some miracle, it hadn't been crushed by the impact. Instead, it pulsed softly against him, radiating a strange rhythmic energy. What is that? he wondered fleetingly. There was no time to dwell on it. A vast shadow moved in his peripheral vision, returning his attention to the lion. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to his feet. To his surprise, this wasn't as difficult as expected.

The pain, though sharp, felt muted, almost distant. Months of enduring agony seemed to have hardened him, dulling the edges of suffering. He raised his eyes just in time to see Hakeem leaping toward the lion's flank, his sword gleaming with mana.

"Swift Slash!" Hakeem roared, his sword carving through the air before slamming into the lion's side. The force of the strike reverberated through the beast, its massive muscles rippling as it struggled to stay upright. Hakeem landed lightly on his feet, quickly leaping back as the lion spun with alarming speed, an enormous claw slicing through the space where he'd just stood. Joe was stunned by Hakeem's sudden attack. Where had he gained such courage? Was it his month of fighting in VR?

The sight sparked something in him, an instinctual understanding that they couldn't face this creature head-on. He needed to keep it distracted. Acting impulsively, he grabbed a large rock and hurled it with all his strength at the lion's hind legs. The projectile shot forward with startling speed, faster than he had expected. It struck the beast's rear leg with a resounding crack, earning a sharp yelp of pain.

The lion turned its massive head, scanning for the source of the blow, giving Hakeem the opening he needed to duck behind a nearby half-destroyed car. Joe started running as soon as he threw the rock, sprinting to the side, weaving between broken buildings and upturned vehicles, and buying himself a moment to think. As he caught his breath, another rock sailed through the air, slamming into the lion's flank with enough force to make it stumble.

The beast's head whipped around wildly, its frustration and confusion evident. A notification blinked before Joe's eyes as he dove behind cover, the words sharp and clear against his vision. Party invite from Kai Athanasiou, do you accept? Joe accepted immediately, and a small chat box materialized in the corner of his vision. Focusing on it brought up a blinking message from Kai. [Oh shit, that worked. One of my skills lets me create a party. Why is there a lion here? Why is it so big? Shit! It's about to find Hakeem!] - Kai. Joe peeked out cautiously from behind a pile of rubble. The lion was stalking forward, its massive frame moving with predatory precision. It was heading toward Hakeem's hiding spot. Panic flared in Joe's chest; he had to act fast. Desperately, he thought of a reply, willing it to appear in the chat box. To his relief, it worked. [I am going to throw some more rocks at it. To keep it distracted. Where are you?] - Joe.

Without waiting for an answer, Joe grabbed a large, jagged slab of debris and hurled it with all his strength at the lion. His stat-enhanced strength sent it soaring through the air, but his aim was off; it smashed against a distant wall, missing its mark. The crash echoed through the area, and Joe's stomach sank as he heard the lion's heavy steps shift direction. It was coming for him now. He darted behind an overturned car, his heart pounding in his chest.

The ground seemed to tremble with each step of the advancing beast. Sweat trickled down his face as he crouched lower, trying to keep his breath steady and quiet. A sudden gust of wind ruffled his hair as the lion roared, the force of its voice slamming him like a physical blow. He clapped his hands over his ears, gritting his teeth to block out the noise. He prayed he hadn't been spotted. Risking a glance, he flicked his eyes back to the chat. [I'm in the building to your right. I'm going upstairs.] - Kai's message appeared surprisingly calm and clear, given the chaos. Hakeem King has joined the party. Joe's relief was short-lived as he quickly typed his response. [Hakeem, do you have any range attacks? Or defensive skills? We need to keep its attention split. Kai, keep going up; I have a plan. Head to the roof and find something metal, as hard as possible.] - Joe. The lion prowled closer to Joe's hiding spot, its steps heavy and deliberate.

Joe moved carefully, circling to its side, staying just out of sight. His heart thundered in his chest, but he focused his mind, activating Mana-Coating again. A glow enveloped him. Bolstering his resolve. With only a slight hesitation, he leapt at the lion's back legs, swinging his staff with every ounce of force he could muster. His staff slammed into the beast's rear knee, and for the second time, the beast faltered.

Its massive body twisted under the blow, its balance momentarily broken as it collapsed to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. Joe pressed his attack, raising his staff and driving it toward the beast's back. The strike landed, but it was like hitting solid steel. A jarring shock shot through his arms, his hands trembling from the recoil. He gritted his teeth, refusing to back down, and stepped back to reposition. But he was too slow. A massive paw swept toward him, striking his side with brutal force.

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"Aaahhh!" Joe's scream tore through the air as one of the lion's claws tore through his Mana-Coating and stabbed deep into his abdomen. The pain was a sharp, searing agony. But again, he had experienced much worse inside the Bloodline Gate. As he was flung backwards, his body collided with the side of a half-destroyed building, the force rattling him to his core. The egg strapped to his back absorbed most of the impact, its strange rhythmic pulse cushioning him just enough to keep him alert.

He slid to the ground in a crumpled heap. Nerves screaming in muted protest. He groaned, unstrapping the bag, holding the egg and carefully setting it beside him. The egg still pulsed faintly, seemingly unharmed, but he wasn't taking any chances. Slowly, he forced himself to his feet, eyes darting to locate the beast. He grimaced as blood dripped from his side, but at the same time, he glanced at the movement of the battle. Hakeem moved in a blur, leaping onto the lion's back just as it regained its footing.

"Sword Eruption!" Hakeem roared, his blade igniting in a blaze of fire. He slammed the weapon down with devastating force, triggering an explosion that rocked the battlefield. The ground shook beneath Joe's feet as fire and dust erupted into the air, momentarily blinding him. He staggered back, shielding his eyes from the debris, using the momentary chaos to catch his breath and reassess. His chest rose heavily as he glanced at the chat, hoping for an update. [Okay, I'm going up.] - Kai.

[Hit and run style, got it.] - Hakeem. [What the hell was that? Are you guys okay? I'm on the roof but can't find any metal.] - Kai's frantic message read. Joe quickly thought out a response, his mind racing to keep them alive. [Use a skill! You're a builder, right? Anything! You got this!] - Joe. As the message was sent, the chat window minimized into the corner of his vision, allowing him to focus entirely on the destruction before him.

As the dust began to settle, the lion emerged from the haze, its massive form scarred but still imposing, its golden eyes burning with fury. Joe shifted to the side, moving cautiously to avoid drawing its attention too soon. His muscles tensed, readying for the next move as he watched Hakeem dart away, preparing for another strike. The fight continued. The Beast was bleeding now, its pristine white fur matted with crimson where Hakeem's attack had landed.

Whoa, that attack was powerful, Joe thought, momentarily awed. He glanced upward, searching for any sign of Kai, but the rooftop remained silent. They needed more time. His gaze returned to the stumbling beast, its movement disoriented. Hakeem was nowhere to be seen, a good sign.

"Hit and run," Joe whispered, steeling himself. The mantra echoed in his mind as he waited for the perfect moment. As soon as the beast turned its massive head away, Joe surged forward from his cover, adrenaline coursing through his veins. His heart pounded, fear clawing at the edges of his resolve, but he didn't let it stop him. Activating Man-Coating once more, he felt the mana envelopment fuel his movements with increased strength and precision.

Sprinting forward, he swung his staff with every ounce of power he could, aiming for the same vulnerable knee he'd struck before. The staff connected with a resounding crack, and Joe's ears caught the unmistakable snap of bone breaking beneath his blow. The lion let out a guttural roar of agony, its body twisting in an attempt to retaliate. It kicked out with its remaining back leg, but its movements were uncoordinated, its strength faltering.

The attempt backfired as its paw slipped on loose, wet rocks, and the colossal beast collapsed, crashing face-first into the ground. Its legs splayed awkwardly beneath it, leaving it momentarily vulnerable. Joe stumbled back, chest heaving, eyes fixed on the downed beast. He couldn't afford to celebrate. Not yet. Sensing the tide of the battle shifting, Joe stepped back, creating space to strike again. He swung his staff down onto the lion's other back leg with all his strength.

This time, the impact was less decisive. The crack he heard was faint; he hadn't managed to break the bone fully. Still, the blow had done damage. Anticipating retaliation, Joe leapt back just as the beast twisted and lashed out with a massive claw—the strike missed by inches, swiping through the air where he had stood a moment earlier. Without hesitation, Joe turned and sprinted away, his heart pounding. Behind him, the lion snarled in frustration, its enormous body shifting as it tried to rise.

But the damage was too severe. With one back leg broken and the other fractured, it struggled to lift its tremendous weight off the ground. Its movement was sluggish, its powerful frame trembling with effort. Joe skidded to a stop a safe distance away, glancing back over his shoulder. The beast slumped for a moment, blood still seeping from the wound on its side. Then, to Joe's alarm, the beast stilled, closing its eyes. What is it doing? He wondered, a chill running through him.

The stillness of it was unnerving, unnatural. He tightened his grip on his staff, readying himself. The beast began to stir, its breath deep and steady. Slowly, it pushed itself upright, a faint limp betraying its injuries. Its golden eyes shot open, burning with renewed determination. Joe's eyes widened as he watched the beast's injured leg begin to heal, the fractures knitting together before his very eyes. The process was slow but alarming. [It's healing!] - Joe. This was very bad. They couldn't afford to stop.

They had to keep attacking to slow down the healing, no matter what. As the beast shifted its focus, scanning its surroundings, Hakeem seized the opportunity. With precision and speed, he darted forward, his blade igniting with mana as he aimed another explosive strike. Joe, meanwhile, slipped behind the side of the building where Kai had disappeared. Pressing his back against the wall, he peeked around the corner.

Dust and debris hung in the air, but he could just make out Hakeem closing the gap and slamming another fiery strike into the beast's hind legs. The resulting explosion sent a fresh wave of dust billowing outward.

"Yes!" Joe muttered, struggling to keep himself in check as he pulled his head back just before the dust cloud reached him. The vibrations from the impact rattled through the ground, but he didn't let himself relax. They weren't out of danger yet. Quickly, he glanced at the chat, hoping Kai had found anything to turn the tide. [What, how am I meant to do that?] - Kai. [Shit.] - Joe. … [It worked. I'm forming some metal steel now.] - Kai. [I need five more minutes!] - Kai.

Joe tried to calculate how long since that last message had passed. [Kai, how long now?] - Joe. [Four minutes!] - Kai. [Okay, on it. I'll pull the Beast near the building; get ready! If this doesn't work…] - Joe. Joe stepped cautiously out from cover, pressing his back tightly against the building's wall. The air was still thick with dust, offering some concealment, though it left his breath shallow and strained. He moved slowly, every sense on high alert. A minute passed, and the dust finally began to settle.

Joe squinted through the haze and spotted the beast lying on the ground. His jaw dropped as his eyes locked onto the gory scene; one of its massive back legs was severed, lying a few feet away in a growing pool of blood. Holy shit! Joe's thoughts raced. Hakeem cut its leg off. We might actually survive this. A flicker of hope ignited in his chest. But then the beast lifted its head. Its glowing, predatory eyes locked onto Joe's, and the flicker of hope extinguished in an instant. He froze.

His entire body seized up as the lion's gaze bore into him. Fear surged through his veins, paralyzing him completely. He couldn't move or even look away, as though the beast's stare had chained him to the spot. Panic clawed at him as he watched in mounting horror. The beast's severed leg began to regenerate, tendons and flesh weaving together at an unnatural speed. Within moments, a new leg had grown, whole and strong, as if the injury had never happened.

Joe strained against the invisible force holding him in place. Sweat poured down his face, his muscles trembling with the effort to move and act, but it was useless. [Help! I can't move! Help!] he managed to send to the chat, his desperation palpable. __ Hakeem saw Joe's desperate message flash before his eyes. Panic surged through him. He swore, quickly repositioning behind the beast. From his vantage point, he watched as the beast's mangled back leg was almost fully formed once more.

Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and ran forward, keeping low and hoping to stay out of sight.

"Swift Slash!" he yelled, his voice cutting through the tense air as he swung his blade. A crescent mana wave tore through the space between him and the beast, aimed at its exposed back. The wave struck with force, but the beast didn't even flinch. Its massive frame absorbed the attack, the ongoing regeneration undisturbed. Hakeem's heart sank, but he didn't hesitate. He sprinted toward the beast, knowing he had one last move to try and help Joe.

Closing the gap, he reached its back left side, and he raised his sword, flames erupting along the blade.

"Sword Eruption!" he roared, bringing the blazing weapon down with all his might. But just as the flames ignited, the beast reacted with terrifying speed. Its massive claw lashed out, striking him square in the side. The blow ripped into him, claws tearing through flesh and armour alike. The impact sent him hurtling through the air, his body crashing through a crumbling wall. Dust and debris rained down as he landed inside a ruined building, motionless. Blood pooled beneath him, and his sword lay just out of reach.

He fell unconscious. [Two more minutes! I'm almost done!] - Kai. He heard a loud crash in the distance. He couldn't see what it was. He only hoped that he could make it in time. Joe stood unmoving as Hakeem vanished, flung like a broken doll into the distance. The beast glowed with a fierce, unnatural light. Was it faster now? What was going on? He thought. The situation had gone from dire to catastrophic. Its glowing eyes locked onto him as its mangled back leg knitted together, the injury vanishing.

Time was up. Clenching his teeth, Joe returned his staff to his storage ring and activated Mana-Coating. He poured every bit of mana he could into the skill, the strain immediate and excruciating. He grimaced as the beast charged, its roar swallowing all thought. The impact came like a thunderclap. Joe's body slammed into a building wall as the beast's jaws clamped down on him. His Mana-coating barely held, its shimmer faltering under the crushing pressure. Blood spilt from his lips as his vision blurred.

A sharp, mocking bar at the bottom of his sight flashed as his mana drained faster than ever. Had that always been there? Pain seared through him as a tooth pierced the coating, biting deep into his flesh. His left arm was pinned between bloody fangs, but his right was free. With death moments away, he clenched his fist, summoning the last shreds of strength. With a desperate roar, he drove his fist toward the beast's glowing eye.

The Light of Uriel skill burst to life, engulfing Joe's right arm in a brilliant, blinding glow. The sudden flash seared his vision, leaving him momentarily blind, but he didn't need to see to feel the beast's jaws slacken. It thrashed, attempting to pull away, too late. Joe drove his radiant fist forward, sinking into the beast's eye socket with unrelenting precision. A guttural roar tore from the beast, echoing with agony as the light burned through.

__ Kai's matter manipulation skill faded, leaving behind a stake-like piece of metal he had just forged. It was longer than he was tall, but his incredible new strength made it feel light in his hands. He turned and sprinted to the edge of the roof and peered down. The sight below caused him to gasp in horror: Joe, with one arm buried elbow-deep in the beast's eye socket. Kai winced, the gruesome scene almost unbearable to look upon. He almost turned and emptied his stomach.

The beast roared, thrashing its head violently, and Joe was flung across the ground like a used dog toy. Disoriented and in pain, the beast staggered, its massive frame wavering, as it crashed into a nearby wreck. That moment of confusion was all Kai needed. Drawing a sharp breath, he pulled back and hurled the metal stake with every ounce of his strength. __ Joe lay sprawled on the ground, every nerve screaming in pain. He had lost count of how many times he'd been tossed like a rag doll today.

His arm throbbed, his side burned where the beast's tooth had pierced him, and every breath felt like a battle. Forcing his eyes open, he saw the beast staggering, roaring in agony, its one good eye blazing with fury, locked onto him. He braced himself, unable to get up, as the beast prepared to charge… but then a blur of metal, a massive stake crashed down with the force of a meteor, driving into the beast's skull and slamming it into the ground. The impact shook the air, and for a moment, silence followed.

What was that? he thought. Then it clicked. Kai. Kai had done it! A wild laugh escaped Joe as he collapsed back onto the ground, his body giving in to exhaustion. He laughed until his ribs ached and he coughed up a mouthful of blood, a mixture of relief and disbelief overwhelming him. System Message You have slain Savage Alpha Lion, level 51. Gate Boss 1/100 slain. Congratulations. Titles earned. Ding! You have levelled up.