Aron stopped the car.
Outside, a massive wolf stood at the top of an upturned burnt bus, staring at him as though the illusion barrier meant nothing.
The other wolves circled on the ground, growling at the car, but none made a move towards him.
[Permission to engage]
The notification rang again.
Aron sighed.
As tempting as it was to test the car's weapons, the thought of fuel consumption bothered him. If the car broke down in the middle of the road, that would be a far bigger problem.
(Mehn, who am I kidding…)
Aron laughed inwardly. The truth was, he just wanted an excuse. Whether the car's energy ran low or not didn't matter, he was only a few hours away from Zone B, getting fuel wouldn't be an issue.
Even if using the weapons was the smarter choice, there was no way he would let this chance to test his strength slip by. As for the low-tier wolves surrounding in droves…
Aron smiled.
After shifting some goods to the front seat, he made space in the back and lowered the seat down. A crate was revealed, filled with weapons. He wrestled it open and pulled out two AKs with four magazines.
He wanted a few grenades too, but they were buried under the pile. Wasting time wasn't worth it, the wolves hadn't attacked yet, but with numbers easily in the hundreds, their combined assault could wear down the car's defenses.
He checked the guns, loaded them, then pulled out a small speaker-like device tucked into the corner of Nule's dashboard and pin'd it to his shirt.
"Wooooo!"
The regal wolf, its shining fur glowing under the moon, howled to the sky from the top of the burnt-out bus.
"Wooooo! Wooooo!"
The pack joined in, howls echoing one after another.
The black car's door swung open. Smoke drifted out as Aron stepped onto the road, a cigarette dangling from his lips. AKs in both hands, he kicked the door shut behind him.
"Nule, front light."
[Front LED on]
The voice from the speaker pinned to his shirt rang out, and the headlights blazed, flooding the area with light.
The wolves fell silent. Their glowing eyes followed Aron, saliva dripping from their mouths as though he were a slab of meat dangling before them. The light only made them more agitated, but none dared to move.
The alpha on the bus looked down with disdain, as if waiting for Aron to bow before it.
Aron chuckled at the thought.
(Here we go again…)
Ratatatatatatatatatata
The twin AKs spat fire. Aron didn't even bother aiming; bullets rained across the wolves. Notifications popped up instantly.
[Level 2 wolf killed – 1 EXP]
[Level 3 wolf killed – 1 EXP]
[Level 2 wolf killed – 1 EXP]
[…]
The alpha's eyes narrowed as stray bullets grazed it. They didn't wound it, but the pain was enough to make it howl furiously to the night sky.
The wolves finally moved charging towards Aron.
Ratatatatatatatatata...
[Level 3 wolf killed – 3 EXP]
[Level 3 wolf killed – 2 EXP]
[…]
Aron's grin deepened. The wolves poured toward him, but his expression stayed calm, cigarette smoke trailing as he reloaded.
The first wolf lunged towards him. Without looking, Aron kicked, its body killing it instantly.
Another magazine snapped into place.
Ratatatatatatatatata...
Aron stepped forward. Surrounded, he fired relentlessly, kicking aside any wolf that got close. Bodies piled around him as notifications continued to flood his vision.
Minutes passed before Aron plucked the half-burnt cigarette from his lips. The alpha still stood proudly on the bus, disdainful, unmoving, as if Aron wasn't even worthy of its time.
"Nule, activate weapon system."
The Ai as if waiting for the command.
[Permission: granted. Weapon systems activated]
Clank...shhhkt... vrrrrm!
Sections of the matte-black frame shifted apart. The hood slid open in sharp lines, revealing twin heavy barrels that locked into place with metallic clicks.
The bumpers split, sliding outward as sleek rotary guns unfolded from hidden compartments. From each side, short turrets extended, their muzzles glowing faintly with power indicators.
Last was the roof, panels peeling back like armor plates. A cylindrical mount rose from within, unfolding into a heavy rotary machine gun that spun with a high-pitched whine.
The headlights reflected off cold steel, the car now less a vehicle and more a war machine.
And with no delay.
The top gun roared first.
Ratatatatatatatatata...
Tracer fire cut through the night sky. The twin hood cannons thundered in sync, while the side turrets spat a continuous stream of death. Wolves were torn apart in droves, blood spraying across the Road and dirt.
Amid the chaos, Aron's own rifles joined in, his gunfire blending seamlessly with the car's symphony of destruction.
Notifications exploded in his vision, flooding one after another.
[Level 4 wolf killed - 1 EXP]
[Level 3 wolf killed - 1 EXP]
[Level 5 wolf killed - 1 Exp]
[…]
"Nule, self-driving. Drift clockwise, anti-clockwise override."
Sheeesshh...
The tires screeched as the car spun, guns blazing. Wolves fell one after another, their numbers thinning at an alarming rate.
The alpha seeing the situation of its pack finally moved. Its cold, eyes filled with killing intent locked on Aron, its body suddenly crackled with electricity. Sparks danced across its fur, lighting the night. Its gaze, burning with hatred, fixed solely on him.
Aron's guns didn't stop, but his eyes never left the alpha.
Crackle... Thunder..!
With a sonic boom, the wolf vanished from the bus.
****
Thanks so much for the support, it truly motivates me.❤️