NOVEL NEXT Chapter 365: Danger
The hospital's emergency systems activated, sprinkler heads releasing water that turned to steam against demon-heated flesh.
HISS!
Through the mist, more shapes approached the broken window. Larger ones. The defective demons' assault had been preparation for something worse.
The real attack begins now.
Arthur's photon weapon charged as he tracked multiple targets. His weapon catalogued threats faster than his current conscious thought could process.
Sixteen hostiles are visible. An unknown number is approaching.
The countdown timer in his peripheral vision continued its relentless march, but the numbers seemed meaningless against immediate survival.
Power comes to those who survive long enough to claim it.
CRASH!
Another section of the window exploded inward.
...
The countdown timer in his peripheral vision continued its relentless march, but the numbers seemed meaningless against immediate survival.
Power comes to those who survive long enough to claim it.
CRASH!
Another section of the wall windows exploded inward, admitting a fresh wave of defective demons.
Glass shards scattered across the floor like deadly confetti, crunching under Arthur's boots as he repositioned.
More of them. Always more.
Arthur's photon weapon spat concentrated death, each beam finding its mark like a sniper's shot.
ZAP! ZAP!
Two demons crumpled, their corrupted bodies turning into acrid smoke.
Eight shots left in this energy cell, then it needs to recharge again.
"Arthur, your six!" Gates's warning came just as claws whistled through the air where Arthur's head had been.
Shit...that was close.
Arthur spun, his rifle striking the demon's elongated jaw with bone-crushing force. The creature staggered, giving him enough space to bring his weapon to bear.
Surprisingly, despite its low weight and size, it was very durable.
WHOOOM!
The photon beam carved through the demon's torso, leaving burning edges that glowed with the residual heat.
Seven shots.
Gates's own weapon hummed as he covered Arthur's reload sequence. His shoulder leaked crimson through improvised bandages, but his hands remained steady.
He is bleeding but functional. Good enough, he can last until the merge.
"Behind you, Gates!" Arthur's eyes caught movement in his peripheral vision.
Gates ducked without looking, trusting Arthur's warning completely. The demon's claws passed inches over his head, ruffling his hair with the displaced air.
Perfect coordination. We're getting good at this.
Arthur's fresh energy cell slotted home with a satisfying click.
His first shot took the attacking demon centre mass, dropping it in a shower of black ichor.
I got fifteen shots, I need to make them count.
The security team's formation had contracted around their wounded operative. Her partner worked frantically with medical supplies while the others maintained a defensive perimeter.
"Smoke grenades!" The team leader called out. "Create visual barriers! We have heat-sensor weapons, whilst they don't."
HISS! HISS! HISS!
Three canisters rolled across the floor, releasing thick grey clouds that obscured vision. Unfortunately, the leader's comment was wrong; the smoke didn't stop the demons' senses.
They hunt by more than sight.
Through the artificial fog, burning eyes tracked their movement like predators. The smoke provided some concealment but not protection.
That's a very minimal advantage, but one, nonetheless.
Arthur moved through the haze like a ghost, the scope painting target locations in his mind.
A demon lunged from his left, and Arthur sidestepped and fired in one fluid motion.
He wasn't sure how he was able to do that with his body, but it seemed like it might be related to the merge. His experience in fighting in Armageddon was somewhat transferred, even when his powers weren't.
ZAP!
Fourteen shots.
"Gates, sound off!"
"Still breathing!"
Gates's voice came from Arthur's right, punctuated by the discharge of his own weapon.
"Running low on ammunition though!"
We all are.
The wounded operative's partner finished his medical work, slapping her helmet.
She rose unsteadily, her throat bearing ugly bruises, but her weapon still functional.
"Regroup on Gates's position!" The team leader's command cut through the chaos.
The security team flowed through the smoke, their movements creating overlapping fields of fire.
Gates moved with them, his dirt and torn business suit looking absurdly out of place among their gear.
Money buys the best soldiers. Can't buy courage.
CRACK!
More glass fell as another demon forced entry. Then another. The window frame could no longer contain the assault—creatures poured through like water through a broken dam.
The flood begins.
Arthur's photon weapon became an extension of his will, each shot carefully placed for maximum efficiency. The enhanced reflexes from his spatial talent translated surprisingly well to conventional combat.
Muscle memory transcends reality.
A demon with six arms attacked Gates from multiple angles simultaneously. Arthur's beam took off two limbs before Gates's own shot finished the creature.
"Arthur!" Gates pointed toward the corridor door. "There is movement outside! Be careful of sneak attacks! They aren't finished yet."
Arthur nodded firmly. The situation wasn't looking good. They were stuck in the hospital for the next two minutes; he couldn't leave his sister, it was impossible.
They're in the hallway too.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed beyond the barrier.
Arthur positioned himself between the door and Charlotte's room. Whatever came through that entrance would have to go through him first.
There was no negotiation with the demons, nor retreat. It was a simple fight to the death...the primitive kind.
Gates moved to Arthur's flank, his wounded shoulder forgotten in the face of new threats. The security team maintained their defensive positions around the window.
The door broke, revealing more defective demons. Arthur was no longer surprised by the sheer number of demons, but there was one thing that irked him.
Why is it like the hospital is the only damn place they want...or is there just that many, that they are overcrowding the entire city.
The lead demon's burning eyes fixed on Arthur.
Arthur's smile was razor-sharp.
"You want me? Well...come and try...I will make sure your body is riddled with holes; perhaps you can be reborn as a sponge in your next life."
The corridor erupted into violence as demons poured through the doorway. Arthur and Gates fought back-to-back, their weapons creating a deadly light show in the confined space.