In a world where DNA is weaponized and the city is alive with code, Tory Brennan and her Pack fight to survive. But the virus isn't what they expected it's a test. Survive the night, or lose everything.
CHAPTER :ONE
The taste of copper was the first thing I noticed.
It wasn't just blood; it was wrong ,metallic, sharp, and humming with a frequency that made my teeth ache.
"Tory, get up!"
Ben's voice was a muffled roar. I looked up, my vision swimming in a sea of jagged pixels. We were in the undergrowth near the old LIRI perimeter fence. The rain was coming down in sheets, but I didn't feel cold. I felt like I was made of liquid fire.
"Something's... happening, Ben," I wheezed.
[Warning: Genetic Instability Detected.]
[Executing 'Apex' Protocol...]
A chime sounded in my head a digital ring that vibrated in my soul.
[Welcome, Host.]
[The Apex System has been successfully integrated.]
I blinked. A floating, translucent window was hovering three inches from my face.
"Do you see that?" I pointed a trembling finger at the air.
"See what? The guards?" Ben grabbed my arm, hauling me into the shadow of a massive oak. "Tory, focus. Shelton and Hi are pinned down near the generator. We have two minutes before the thermal scanners cycle back."
I didn't answer. I couldn't. My eyes were glued to the screen.
[Status Window]
Name: Tory Brennan
Level: 1 (Exp: 0/100)
HP: 45/100 (Bleeding)
Energy: 12/50
Trait: Wolf-Hybrid (Latent)
[Emergency Quest: The First Hunt]
Objective: Neutralize the LIRI Security Team (0/4).
Reward: 50 Exp, +2 Agility, Skill: 'Predator's Eye'.
Penalty: Death.
Death. The word wasn't a threat; it was a cold, hard fact printed in red text.
"Tory!" Ben shook me again. "The Flare! Use it!"
I reached for the Flare that familiar surge of wolfish power. But instead of the usual warmth, it was a tidal wave.
[Skill 'Feral Burst' Activated!]
[Energy -10]
My world exploded into high-contrast greyscale. I could see the heat signatures of the guards through the thick foliage. I could hear the click of a safety being disengaged fifty yards away.
"Stay here," I said. My voice didn't sound like mine anymore. It was deeper, layered with a low-frequency growl.
"Tory, wait....."
I didn't wait. I moved.
In the old world, I was fast. In this world the System's world I was a blur.
I cleared the distance to the first guard in three heartbeats. He didn't even have time to scream. My nails had elongated into black, serrated talons that sliced through his tactical vest like it was wet paper.
[Guards Neutralized: 1/4]
[Exp Gained: 10]
The rush was intoxicating. I looked at the next heat signature.
The tutorial was over. It was time to see what else this System could do.