Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 333: Elite units (I)

Chapter 333: Elite units (I)

Vlad’s eyes narrowed as an overwhelming sense of danger surged through him. Part of him urged him to delve deeper, to uncover more about these formidable creatures and the origin of the hive, but his instincts screamed a warning: proceeding further could be fatal.

Weighing his options, the Depravita of Wrath clenched his fists and made a swift decision. Survival was paramount. There was no point in uncovering every secret of the hive if he wasn’t alive to share it.

He turned sharply and sprinted away from the ominous obsidian obelisk looming in the distance. The dense forest enveloped him, shadows stretching like grasping hands as he weaved between ancient trees. Twisted roots jutted from the ground, threatening to trip him, but he navigated them with practiced agility.

Returning north wasn’t wise; the hive’s presence was too concentrated there. Instead, he decided to head east, where the hive’s influence appeared to be less oppressive. His boots pounded against the forest floor as he pushed himself harder.

As he moved further east, the number of drones began to diminish. The eerie silence that had pressed upon him lifted, replaced by the distant murmurs of the ocean. Relief flickered in his chest—a brief respite from the relentless pursuit. But as he reached the coastline of Makey Country, his hope was short-lived.

Emerging from the mist-laden forest, Vlad caught sight of a towering figure that made his blood run cold. Standing about three and a half meters tall, the creature loomed over its surroundings with a twisted, humanoid form.

It was a monstrous amalgamation of organic and corrupted materials, its body covered in writhing tendrils and jagged appendages. Its skin was dark, mottled with rough textures resembling hardened shells and twisted flesh, exuding a sense of primal, unstoppable force.

Its massive limbs were thick and muscular, ending in claw-like hands with elongated fingers designed for destruction. Large, grotesque growths extended from its back—possibly mutated wings or additional limbs.

Vlad’s heart skipped a beat. This was unlike any hive creature he had encountered before. While he had seen insect-humanoid hybrids with four legs during his journey south, these creatures were something else entirely. They moved with shocking speed across the terrain, adapting seamlessly to their environment. Though he saw only one or two at a time, he suspected there were at least a dozen lurking nearby.

’This must be their assault force,’ Vlad thought, his eyes cold as a solemn realization settled in.

Determined to assess their capabilities, he activated his A.I. Chip, aiming to scan and analyze their power levels. He had successfully analyzed other hive creatures before, dissecting their stats and internal compositions. There was no reason to think this time would be any different.

But as soon as the A.I. Chip’s force field focused on one of the beings, a jolt of alarm shot through him. The creature froze mid-stride, its dark eyes widening. Instantly, it snapped its gaze toward Vlad’s concealed position.

’Dammit!’ he cursed internally, adrenaline surging through his veins.

Without wasting a second, Vlad spun around and bolted. The Demon Cage Runic Formation in his heart flared to life, and a mantle of red lightning enveloped his body, propelling him forward with enhanced speed. Stealth was no longer an option—he had been discovered. The forest blurred around him as he dashed between trees, his footsteps pounding like thunder in his ears.

Behind him, the ground quaked as the elite unit launched in pursuit, its powerful strides shattering the earth beneath. The cacophony of destruction echoed all around; it was clear they were attempting to encircle him.

’They’re trying to trap me,’ Vlad thought, his mind racing. The oppressive aura of the creatures pressed in from all sides, and with each second, the danger grew.

Branches whipped against his face, leaves torn away in his wake. The scent of saltwater grew stronger—a sign he was nearing the shore. His only chance was to reach the ocean and escape by sea.

[Beep! Alert: Elite unit approaching rapidly from the left]

The robotic voice of the A.I. Chip echoed in his mind, and Vlad’s eyes flicked to the side just in time to see a shadow hurtling toward him through the trees. The creature moved with terrifying speed, its form a blur of dark tendrils and muscle. Without breaking stride, Vlad summoned his halberd, the weapon materializing in his grip with a surge of energy.

The elite unit lunged at him, its eyes reflecting savage intent. It wielded a massive sword crafted from what seemed to be solidified dark blood, the blade’s sharpness severing the very air.

"Fuck off!" Vlad shouted as he allowed his rage to explode, his grip tightening on the halberd.

Flames erupted along the blade of his weapon as he swung to meet the creature’s attack. Metal clashed against corrupted material, the impact generating a shockwave of kinetic energy and fire that scorched the surrounding foliage. The force of the collision sent the elite unit and the Depravita skidding backward, tearing grooves into the earth.

Vlad steadied himself. His eyes locked onto the elite unit before him. Though he was stronger, the creature’s momentum allowed it to match him in their initial clash.

He took a sharp breath, his instincts screaming at him. The brief exchange had cost him precious seconds, and the ominous sound of shattering earth signaled that the other elite units were closing in at an alarming speed. He could feel the ground trembling as they approached from all directions.

Before Vlad could strategize his next move, the elite unit recovered and charged at him again without hesitation. Its eyes were void of fear or pain, solely focused on stopping him—even at the cost of its own life. Determined not to be cornered, Vlad met its charge head-on. His eyes burned with cold fury.

"THUMP!"

As they were about to collide, Vlad’s heartbeat thundered like a drum. A surge of wrathful energy erupted within him, coursing through his veins and enhancing every fiber of his being. Red lightning crackled around his form, illuminating the shadowed forest. The sudden burst of speed caught the elite unit off guard. It swung its massive sword, but Vlad was already a blur, sidestepping the attack with supernatural agility.