The tires kicked up sand as Daniel pushed the SUV to its limit.
Every bump in the mix of bones and sand sent the vehicle airborne for a split second before crashing back down, its suspension groaning with protest.
The desert blurred past his windows, but he didn't dare take his eyes off the road. Or whatever passed for a road in a desert made of bone dust.
Behind him, the screeches grew louder.
He glanced in the rearview mirror again and cursed under his breath. There were more than six monsters now. They'd somehow multiplied.
Black-scaled, long-limbed, and faster than anything their size had a right to be. Their tails whipped the sand like scythes, kicking up clouds as they raced after him.
One launched itself into the air, landing on the edge of the rear bumper. The SUV shuddered under the impact.
Daniel jerked the wheel, swerving to shake it off. The creature clung to the roof with its claws, digging in and dragging metal behind it like nails on a chalkboard.
Daniel slammed his hand on the dashboard. "C'mon! C'mon!"
Another creature flanked him from the right. It ran parallel with the SUV, jaws open, tongue flicking.
Then it lunged sideways, slamming into the passenger door. The whole car veered. Daniel overcorrected and nearly rolled the vehicle before regaining control.
One creature leapt forward and latched onto the hood. Its weight made the vehicle dip. Daniel stared in horror as it bashed its head into the windshield, cracking it.
The dashboard lit up with warnings:
[IMPACT DETECTED]
[VEHICLE STABILITY: 67%]
"GET OFF!"
He swerved violently again. The creature slid off the side but dug its claws in at the last second. Its tail whipped up and broke the right side mirror.
Another landed on the back of the SUV, and this one didn't hesitate. It began ripping through the roof.
Daniel screamed. Or if you asked him, yelled. He ducked as claws slashed through the metal inches above his head. Bits of insulation and debris fell into the cabin.
"Okay! Nope. That's it!"
He pressed the brake pedal to the floor, sending the monster on top of the car flying. The ones that had been running alongside him slipped in the sand as they tried to stop their momentum.
Taking advantage of the opening, he floored the gas pedal, trying to outrun them. But it didn't matter.
It was as if they were never tired. They kept following him like his own shadow. And worst of all, they were fast.
Before long, one of them launched onto the roof and joined the other, the added weight making the SUV sag in the rear.
The engine strained. The tires slipped.
The creatures closed in.
One leaped, slamming into the back of the SUV. The entire vehicle lurched. Daniel almost lost control. Another crawled alongside the passenger side, its claws screeching against the windows.
"Nope! Nope, nope!"
The SUV shuddered as more of them piled on. They battered the sides, trying to get in. Daniel ducked as talons tore across the metal of the roof, creating gashes inches from his head.
"System! I need help!" He yelled.
No response.
He swerved, trying to shake them, but they held tight. One smashed the back window, and Daniel screamed as shards flew into the cabin.
The frame groaned.
"Come on..."
A warning beep flashed on the dashboard.
[STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY COMPROMISED. REPAIRS NEEDED.]
"Great."
Daniel slammed the brakes again, trying the trick a second time. The lizards tumbled forward, but this time, it looked like there were even more following behind. They screeched, fangs dripping, crawling over the hood.
He opened the System Shop with a thought.
"Weapons. Weapons. Come on, give me something big!"
Options flooded in.
[Plasma Rifle - $500,000]
[Auto-Turret Pack - $800,000]
[Lightning Orbital Strike - $2,000,000]
Daniel's eyes widened. "Yes. That one. Now."
He slammed the purchase.
[DING! LIGHTNING ORBITAL STRIKE INITIATED. LOCKING TARGETS...]
A countdown began in the air.
3… 2… 1.
The sky darkened.
The creatures paused, confused. They looked up.
Then came the flash.
Bolts of white-blue lightning rained from above, striking each creature with pinpoint precision.
The sand exploded around them. Screeches turned to silence.
When the light faded, all that remained were smoldering craters and sizzling black husks.
Daniel sat frozen in the driver's seat, heart pounding.
[Enemies defeated. Soul currency earned: $850.]
He blinked. "What."
He stared at the number again.
"Eight-fifty?! I just spent two million! That's not even… that's not even one percent back!"
He stepped out of the SUV, still stunned.
The vehicle was trashed. The roof was torn open. One tire had melted. The frame hissed with heat.
"Well. That was short-lived."
He sighed and brought up the System Shop again. "Alright. This time, I'm not holding back. Let's see what luxury feels like."
He navigated to Vehicles again.
[Combat Hoverbike - $90,000]
[Reinforced Bus Fortress - $2.2 million]
[Stealth Aircraft with Living Quarters - $6.5 million]
Daniel smiled. "Perfect."
He confirmed the purchase.
[Ding! Stealth aircraft delivered.]
With a flash, the aircraft appeared nearby in front of him. Matte black, angular wings, no windows on the outside. It hovered gently just above the sand, its hatch open.
He stepped inside.
Cool air greeted him. Soft lighting illuminated the interior. To the left was a small lounge with a couch, a table, and a bookshelf. To the right, a compact kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and cabinets. A narrow hallway led to a bedroom and bathroom.
Daniel whistled. "Now we're living."
He opened the fridge. Stocked. Juices, sandwiches, even a slice of cake.
He grabbed the cake and took a bite. Moist. Rich. Afterlife cuisine was really something.
"Alright, pilot seat..."
He found the cockpit and sat down. The chair adjusted to his frame, the dashboard lighting up.
[Scan in progress.]
[Nearby activity detected. Establishing flight path.]
On the screen, a map appeared. To the northeast, a small settlement blinked with a soft green light.
[Course set: Settlement ETA – 1 hour. Autopilot engaged.]
The engines hummed.
Daniel leaned back, licked the remaining frosting off his thumb, and grinned.
"Let's see what the neighbors are like around here."
The aircraft rose into the sky, silent as a shadow, leaving the wrecked SUV and monster corpses behind.