**Chapter 7 - Chubby** *At Metro Doctors Hospital* "You think this is some kind of game?!" the man shouted, his voice echoing with righteous fury as he pounded his fists into Theo. "We don’t even know what's truly happening! What if there's a cure for them?! How dare you treat them like vermin!" Theo recognized the man as one of the security guards, his uniform a stark reminder of the fragile order they were losing. "They’re not human anymore! Can’t you see that?!" Theo retorted, anger boiling within him. "It’s not just about surviving—they’re attacking others and turning them into monsters. The least we can do is end their suffering and prevent this horror from spreading!" Ding! Theo's protest fell silent as the familiar chime of the elevator echoed through the corridor, swiftly followed by an ominous snarl that clawed at the edges of their sanity. Both men turned, Theo’s breath hitching in his throat as he beheld the grotesque figure of a woman emerging into the hallway, her body contorted in a nightmarish fashion. "A Meteorborn?" he gasped, dread seeping into his bones. The creature smirked, her grotesque features twisted into a grin, and in a single, fluid motion, she snatched the security guard from the bench as a low growl rumbled in her throat. Before the horrified guard could comprehend what was happening, the Meteorborn opened her maw wide, ready to close in on him. But Theo was faster. With a desperate surge of energy, he lunged forward, crashing into the creature with all his weight, sending her staggering off balance just in time to spare the guard. The Meteorborn whipped around, her glowing, pupil-less eyes locking onto his, a feral glint sparking in their depths. In a split second, she regained her footing, an unsettling calmness enveloping her movements, and Theo's heart raced. This was nothing like the MB Infectees that lumbered mindlessly. "I have to act fast," he muttered to himself, urgency twisting in his gut. Without a moment’s hesitation, he gripped his knife tightly and lunged for her throat. But the Meteorborn was quicker than he anticipated, twisting away and capturing his wrist in a vice-like grip. Seering pain shot through his arm, and he fought to break free from her grasp. “Shit!” Theo ground out through clenched teeth. [Ding! Kinetic Pulse available for use.] The realization struck him like lightning. He had unlocked a basic mutation ability earlier. The Kinetic Pulse—an energy burst at his command. With a fierce determination, he willed the power to manifest. A violent surge erupted from his palm, tearing through the air as he slammed it into the Meteorborn. The impact sent her crashing against the wall, the force resonating down the corridor like thunder. Theo staggered backwards, breaths coming in ragged gulps as power surged through his veins. But just as quickly, a wave of exhaustion slammed into him, his knees threatening to buckle beneath the strain. [Ding! Kinetic Pulse on cooldown. Recharge in 10 seconds.] "You can’t be serious!" Theo snapped, frustration boiling over. "Why can’t I just keep using it?!" [Ding! Reminder: Mutation powers improve through combat experience. Keep fighting to unlock new abilities and reduce cooldown time.] Grimacing, he clenched his jaw. Time was not on his side. The Meteorborn groaned as she stood back up, rolling her shoulders with an unsettling smirk. Theo felt dread settle in his stomach. He turned on his heel, sprinting down the hallway, desperation fueling his flight. Heavy footsteps trailed behind him, quickening as the creature pursued with relentless intent. His heart plummeted. He dared a glance back; the Meteorborn was gaining on him. "Damn this thing!" he hissed under his breath. He pushed forward, weaving past overturned carts and bodies strewn across the floor. In his mind, the timer ticked ominously. [5 seconds remaining.] 'Just a little more!' Suddenly, the Meteorborn leaped, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Theo barely managed to throw himself sideways, skidding across the slick floor. [1 second.] He spinner around, hand poised to launch another attack. [Ding! Kinetic Pulse ready.] "Yes!" A triumphant grin split his face as he unleashed the burst at point-blank range. The Meteorborn was hurled backwards, slamming into the wall with a sickening crack. Theo braced himself, his fists clenched, fighting against the fog of fatigue enveloping him. His surroundings blurred momentarily, warning him of the toll his body was taking. He could feel the cooldown period beginning to take effect. But the Meteorborn was already recovering. With an inhuman snarl, she pushed off the cracked wall, her eyes burning with renewed focus. A chilling grin spread across her face, revealing a sharp glimpse of predatory intent. 'A smirk?' Theo's insides twisted with fear. She's still calculating. Without warning, the creature lunged again, quicker than he ever dreamed possible. He barely dodged, stumbling backward, annoyance prickling at the edges of his awareness. He needed to buy some time—he was running on borrowed strength now. The hallway sprawled ahead, littered with discarded gurneys and scattered medical supplies. He needed something—anything. A weapon heavy enough to finish this. Scanning the wreckage, his eyes landed on a fire extinguisher mounted against the wall. He dashed toward it, desperation surging. As the Meteorborn advanced, he swung his fist, a shockwave emanating from him, slamming into her once more. The creature stumbled back, crashing into a nearby supply cart with a deafening clash that echoed through the chaos. But Theo could feel fatigue clawing at him. Every pulse of his energy diminished, the cooldown on his Kinetic Pulse relentless. “Damn it!” he cursed internally. The Meteorborn groaned but pushed herself up, her glowing eyes narrowing in irritation. Unlike the mindless MB Infectees, this one was cunning. She understood the dance of predator and prey. With steely resolve, Theo tightened his grip around the fire extinguisher. No more fleeing. It was time to face this monster head-on. If he hesitated now, he would never have another chance. The Meteorborn lunged again, but this time, Theo swung the fire extinguisher with a surge of kinetic energy, driving it forward with every ounce of determination he could muster. CRACK! The heavy canister collided with her skull, sending her reeling. Yet she remained upright, snarling in defiance. Like a predator frightened but not deterred. He didn't wait for her to recover. With another swing, this time aiming for her head, he roared with determination. THUD! The impact sent tremors through his body, but he pressed on, gritting his teeth and channeling another pulse of energy. He swung down harder than ever, pouring every bit of strength into the blow. SPLAT! Once. Twice. Then again. The fire extinguisher smashed against her skull with brutal precision, ensuring she wouldn’t rise again. The creature convulsed, her body twitching before finally giving in with one last, sickening crunch. [Ding! +100 EXP, +10 Gold Coins] Theo staggered back, gasping for breath as the fire extinguisher slipped from his fingers, clattering to the ground. His limbs quaked from exhaustion, but a burst of exhilaration shot through him. [Ding! Basic Mutation Power Unlocked] Generates a temporary energy shield to block attacks. Duration: A few seconds (longer with upgrades). A breathless chuckle escaped his lips as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He had survived his first real confrontation with a Meteorborn, and though his powers felt weak and fledgling, he was alive. He needed to grow stronger, and he needed to do it fast. Taking a moment to steady himself, Theo reviewed his status. [Special Ability/Power: Basic Mutation Powers] - Enhanced Physique: Strength, agility, and endurance slightly increased. - Adaptive Healing: Minor wounds recover faster. - Kinetic Pulse: Releases a short-range energy burst. - Energy Shield: Generates a temporary energy barrier to block attacks. [Mutation Level: 1] [HP: 100/100] [EXP: 310] [MP/EP: 30/50] [Strength: 15] [Agility: 15] [Intelligence: 20] [Endurance: 20] [Wealth: 31 Gold Coins] He swallowed hard, murmuring, "Thirty-one gold coins should be equivalent to 3.1 million Nexa Money." The thought was surreal, unimaginable in this world turned upside down. His musing was abruptly interrupted as he felt a gentle tug on the hem of his shirt from behind. Turning, he was met by the wide eyes of a girl, perhaps still in her teens, her playful grin juxtaposed against the bloodstained patient gown clinging to her frail form, the crimson stark against her pale skin. "Hey, Chubby," she chirped, her voice dancing with a chilling excitement. "Looks like I’m not the only one who woke up with some powers, huh?" And in that moment, Theo realized that amidst the chaos, he was far from alone.