A bead of sweat rolled down my forehead before dripping onto the blade of the knife in my hand. Instinctively, I took a step back, staring at its form; this monstrosity was entirely different from what I had seen on my first day. In my memory, the Nomu was smaller, but the one standing before me now possessed a massive physique, covered entirely in scars—some of which were still oozing a thick, black substance.
[It evolved...] I thought bitterly.
I realized the terrifying truth in that moment: I wasn't the only one spending my days training and growing. This place... the monsters here didn't just eat and sleep; they likely spent every waking moment fighting. The scars covering its body were the ultimate proof of my theory.
I gripped the iron rod tightly, feeling the muscles of my forearms bulge. Last time, I had fled like a terrified rat, tripping and stumbling. But now... even though terror still gnawed at my vitals, my feet remained rooted to the spot.
I looked at my empty stomach, which began to contract with pain, then at the beast salivating greedily.
[There is no great chance of winning... in fact, there might be no chance at all,] I thought to myself.
But the option to flee was no longer on the table. The food had already run out, and my little hiding spot had been discovered.
I raised the iron rod to head-level and took a combat stance.
[Fine... let's begin.]
"Tuna..."
"GRRRR!" The beast let out a terrifying shriek and launched itself at me like a projectile.
Even though its movements were erratic, the killing intent it possessed was enough to paralyze a person.
In a fraction of a second, a massive claw lunged at me, tearing through the air with insane speed. I felt the cold air brush against my face; I had dodged the claw by mere millimeters. If not for the brutal training in that iron room, my head would be hanging from those steel-hard, dagger-like talons right now.
I lunged to the side, but the beast turned with unexpected agility and aimed a kick with its massive hoof toward my chest. I raised the iron rod in a defensive stance, and the moment its foot collided with the metal, I felt an electric shock-like jolt surge through my arms.
CRACK!
I staggered back as the concrete of the wall I slammed into shattered. Pain tore through my shoulder, but my eyes never left its movement. The beast lunged again, its claws leaving deep gashes in the solid floor.
SWISH!!
I evaded the next strike with a spiral maneuver, feeling the tip of its claws graze the skin at my waist—a shallow cut, but enough to let warm blood soak into my tattered clothes.
[It's so fast...!]
"GRRRRR!"
The Nomu lunged again, preparing a crushing blow. In that moment, something happened that the beast didn't expect. The dilapidated floor of the fourth floor, weakened by years of moisture and structural collapses, could not support its massive weight.
BOOM!
The floor exploded beneath the Nomu's feet. A muffled cry of panic erupted from its two heads as it plummeted into the void, leaving behind a thick cloud of dust.
I stood on the edge of the gaping hole, looking down to where the beast had fallen all the way to the first floor. I saw it staggering amidst the rubble, struggling to stand while its body bled black fluid profusely.
[If I run now, it'll recover... and I might never get another chance.]
There was no more room for retreat. Hunger was ripping through my intestines, and the beast was currently at its weakest. I screamed at the top of my lungs and threw myself off the ledge with all my might, diving downward like a lightning bolt.
"KYAAAA!" I yelled with everything I had as I leaped toward the Nomu.
I drew the sharp knife and aimed it at its fused neck. In mid-air, it felt as though time had slowed down. I saw the beast lift its heads, its four eyes gleaming.
Before the blade of my knife could reach its flesh, the beast's reflexes kicked in. It swung one of its massive hands in a terrifying side-swipe. Its hand collided with my body in mid-air, and it felt as though a steel freight train had hit me.
CLANG!
Sparks flew from the impact of the knife against its toughened skin, but the force of the blow sent me flying like a ragdoll. I soared through the air for several meters before my back slammed into a solid concrete wall on the first floor with an impact that shook the building.
BOOM!!!
I fell to the ground, smothered in dust, blood coughing out of my mouth. I felt my bones screaming, and my vision began to go dark again. Through the ringing in my ears, I heard the heavy footsteps of the beast slowly approaching.
I exerted a monumental effort to open my eyes amidst the dust cloud. My body was screaming, and I felt the strong taste of metal filling my mouth. I looked at my hand; the sharp knife that was my only hope... had snapped in half from the horrific impact with the Nomu's hide.
[No... I must get up... not now!]
I pushed off the ground with both hands, ignoring the creaking of bones in my back. When I stood up swaying, the blood froze in my veins. The commotion from the battle had summoned another monster.
From the wreckage emerged another "Nomu." It was smaller in size, crawling on all fours. Now, I wasn't facing just one enemy, but two.
"GRRRR..."
There was no time to think. The "Crawler" attacked first, leaping off the walls with an agility that made it impossible to track. I felt its claws tear through my left shoulder, followed by a kick from the Two-Headed Nomu that struck my ribs. My body began to turn into a canvas of blood and open wounds. My vision blurred, and a cold sensation began to creep into my limbs.
[I'm going to die... this is the end...]
But in that moment of despair, a primal rage exploded within me. I made a suicidal leap, taking advantage of the Crawler's momentum toward me, and soared over its head. With every ounce of strength I had left, I plunged the broken knife blade directly into its brain.
The beast convulsed violently, then fell dead at my feet.
But there was no time to celebrate. I turned my exhausted body only to find the massive hand of the Two-Headed Nomu hurtling toward my face at an unavoidable speed. The hand was large enough to crush my skull completely.
I closed my eyes instinctively, waiting for death...
In those micro-seconds... I felt something strange. A terrifying heat began to boil in the marrow of my bones. I felt a dark, violent energy coursing through my veins, concentrating in my throat and hands.
I felt the dark energy gathering in my throat before it finally erupted:
"CRUSH!"