Max's mind raced as a theory began to form. He recalled the scraping and scratching of metal claws, and the inhuman scream that had nearly made his soul leap from his body.
All of it had happened when the subway lights went out. But when the lights flickered back on, the carriage was no longer shrouded in darkness, and the disturbing sounds, the metal scraping and the monstrous roar, had abruptly stopped.
He realized something crucial: the monster might be unable to move in the light, or perhaps it was cunningly waiting for him to let his guard down. Max laughed quietly to himself, dismissing the second possibility for now, and focused on the creature in front of him.
He didn't want to die, not yet. Questions swirled through his mind: How had he ended up here? Who was responsible for all this? And was he truly the only one to have been transmigrated into this world? And most importantly how could he return to his old life, to the world he had left behind?
Max braced himself and took a careful step forward, making sure not to make a sound. One step led to another, each slow and deliberate as he moved toward the door where the monster stood.
He knew what he was doing was suicidal. He wasn't fully confident in his theory, but he couldn't wait for the creature to strike and tear him apart.
With every step, he drew closer, his movements slower but his determination growing stronger. As he finally reached the monster, ready to slip past it, he caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye.
The hideous monster had stood perfectly still, like a statue, showing no interest in the human before it. But Max's luck had run out, or perhaps the time he took to reach that point was already too long.
The subway lights flickered, and darkness swallowed the carriage once again.
Max felt his heart pounding as he summoned every ounce of energy to spring away, but the creature, which had seemed motionless, suddenly came to life. Its long, jagged arm swung with terrifying speed, and its razor-sharp talons sank deep into his flesh.
The monster's long, sharp talons lunged toward Max's throat. He was slightly slower, and the creature slightly faster. Just before the claw could pierce him, a soft murmur sounded in his ear:
Skill activated: Survival Reflexes
A jolt of electric energy surged through Max's body, raising every hair on end. His body twisted instinctively, and the talon that had aimed for his throat sank into his shoulder instead.
Pain exploded through him as a chunk of flesh tore away. Max rolled across the floor, creating distance between himself and the creature.
The monster withdrew its claw and lunged again. Max reached the door at the far end of the carriage, using his uninjured arm to grab the handle and pull himself to safety, narrowly escaping the monster's strike.
The creature's talons slammed into the spot where Max had just rolled. Its head snapped around, letting out a deafening roar, baring rows of jagged teeth. A viscous spray of saliva spewed from its mouth as its claws scraped furiously against the floor.
With terrifying speed, the monster leapt toward him again, claws brandished, hunger blazing in its eyes.
Max clutched his wounded shoulder, wincing in agony. He planted his legs against the door and pushed himself away from the monster. The claws remained embedded in the floor where he had rolled just moments before.
Blood ran down his arm, staining his body, and a droplet fell onto the metal floor as he struggled to stand upright, his face etched with pain.
The floor was slick with crimson where he had fallen, a grim reminder of how close he had come to death. The monster tore its claw free from the metal with a forceful motion. Its white eyes locked onto Max, cold and merciless, gleaming with malice.
This human is harder to kill than I expected. Every time I try, he barely escapes at the last moment. He is like the loathsome roach I despise most. First, I will tear off his arm, then sever his legs, and finally feast on his green eyes one by one, before digging out his skull as he screams in agony. After killing this one, I will surely be able to level up! The monster growled, its white eyes gleaming with cruel excitement.
Max didn't dare stand still. He bolted in the opposite direction, taking advantage of the creature's momentary distraction.
Monster eyes followed him, and its body moved instinctively, driven by pure hunting instinct.
The scrape of metal under its claws pushed Max to force his legs harder.
He reached the next carriage door, scarred with deep, narrow grooves, and lunged inside. A shiver ran through him as he glanced at the door, remembering the flesh-tearing pain it had caused earlier.
The creature was only seven steps behind. Its body resembled a human frame, but every detail marked it as monstrous: its inhuman white eyes, purple skin, long, razor-sharp claws, and a row of jagged, saw-like teeth.
The stench that emanated from it burned Max's nose hairs as he raced forward.
As he entered the carriage, there were no seats, only metal bars running along both sides. Some of the bars had fallen, scattered across the floor like broken bones. The door to the next carriage was riddled with deep grooves, jammed tightly in its frame.
The monster was already close behind.
Max's mind went blank for a moment as he took in the door, but his body didn't stop moving. He snapped out of the daze, and a single thought dominated his mind: Shit!
The creature opened its ferocious mouth and lunged at him, fangs bared, aiming straight for his neck.
Skill activated: Survival Reflexes
At the last moment before the monster's fangs could pierce his neck, Max heard a soft voice whisper in his mind. A sudden arc of electric current surged through his body, jolting his nerves and tensing every muscle.
Without thinking, his right hand shot out and reflexively grabbed the metal bar beside him.
The creature lunged ruthlessly at his neck, but its jaws closed on empty air. There was no taste of blood or flesh, only a hollow snap.
Confused, it looked around, searching for its prey, when Max's sudden swing sent his body flying in a wide arc around the bar. The impact hurled the monster off balance, crashing it to the side.
The rush of momentum cleared Max's mind. Watching the creature biting nothing, calm replaced panic, and determination settled into his chest. Let's do this, you ugly monster. It's do or die!
Using the swing's momentum, Max extended his legs and struck the monster's ribs with full force.
A sickening crack echoed as the creature was thrown back. Pain shot through Max's right hand, which went numb and unintentionally released the bar.
His body collapsed to the floor, but his resolve remained unshaken.
*Crack
Max stood up and grabbed a piece of bar from the floor, one that had been cut apart by the monster's sharp claws.
He pointed the jagged tip toward the creature, keeping his eyes locked on it. His chest rose and fell with heavy, deliberate breaths.
The purple skin monster groaned painfully as it struggled to stand, blood spurting from its mouth. The right side of its rib cage was caved in, darkened and bruised.
Max tightened his grip on the small, spear-shaped bar and charged forward.
The monster's white eyes glinted with cold malice as it tracked him. It swung its right claw, but the motion only made it spew another mouthful of blood. Fueled by anger, it swung its left claw toward Max's throat with full force, even though he was only two steps away.
Goosebumps prickled over Max's skin as the claw came dangerously close, but he did not falter. Every muscle tensed, and he pushed himself forward.
Skill activated: Survival Reflexes
A familiar surge of adrenaline raced through him as a soft murmur whispered in his ear. Max's lips curled into a knowing smile as he could predict the next moment.
His body bent backward almost scraping the floor and slid across it with fluid precision.
Time seemed to stretch in the monster's eyes. Its razor-sharp claw swung with lethal precision, aiming to rip Max apart, but his body arched just enough for the deadly strike to miss by mere inches.
In that heartbeat, the monster glanced down and saw Max seize his chance. With a fluid motion, he drove the spear-shaped iron bar upward, the sharp edge plunging deep between the creature's legs.
The impact made the monster stumble, its roar twisting into a strangled, shocked cry as blood spattered across the floor.