After a few minutes of running, Leo slowed down, chest heaving and legs burning. His heart raced—not just from exhaustion, but from the fear chasing him.
Then—
A voice.
"Mom… help!"
Leo froze.
His head snapped back toward the sound. In the distance, chaos unfolded—the rat had already killed some men. Blood stained the ground.
And now… it was turning toward a mother and her child.
Leo's chest tightened.
For a moment, fear took over again. Run. That was the only thought in his mind.
But his feet didn't move.
He gritted his teeth. "…Damn it."
His eyes darted around—and then he saw it. A long steel pole leaning against the corner of a nearby wall.
Without hesitation, Leo grabbed it.
His hands trembled slightly, but he forced himself forward, step by step. Quiet. Careful. Waiting for the right moment.
The rat's back was turned.
Now.
Leo rushed forward and swung with everything he had, aiming for the back of its head.
BANG.
The impact echoed.
The rat let out a sharp, furious screech as blood splattered from the wound. It staggered slightly.
Leo's eyes widened.
It worked—
But not enough.
The monster's head snapped toward him instantly. Its red eyes locked onto him—and without hesitation, it charged.
"Run!" Leo yelled. "Take your child and go!"
The mother hesitated—but only for a second. She grabbed the child and ran.
"Thank you!" the child cried out.
Leo didn't respond.
His entire focus was on the monster rushing toward him.
The rat lunged—
Leo moved.
He twisted his body to the side, barely avoiding the swipe. The claws sliced through the air, close enough that he felt the wind brush against his skin.
Too close…
His heart pounded violently.
Think.
The rat turned fast—faster than he expected—and attacked again.
Leo stepped back, then pivoted, narrowly dodging a second strike. His movements were rough—but improving.
It's not that fast…
That realization hit him.
He could keep up.
But—
The rat slammed its claws into the ground where he had been standing moments before. The impact cracked the pavement.
Leo's eyes widened.
That strength…
If that hits me directly—
I'm dead.
He swallowed hard. Sweat ran down his face.
The rat didn't stop. It rushed him again, relentless.
Leo grabbed a metal rod from the ground and swung—
CLANG!
The hit landed, but the rat barely flinched.
Then—
It countered instantly.
Leo raised the rod—
CRACK!
The impact nearly tore it from his hands. The force pushed him backward, his feet scraping against the ground.
His arms shook violently.
Too strong…
Leo jumped back, creating distance. His breathing was getting heavier now.
He couldn't win like this.
Not by strength.
The rat screeched and charged again.
Leo didn't attack.
He dodged.
Step.
Dodge.
Step back.
Every movement was focused on survival.
Seconds passed.
Then a minute.
Leo began to notice something.
His body… was adapting.
His reactions were faster. His timing sharper.
Why…?
Before Awakening, he couldn't even react like this.
Another swipe—
Leo ducked under it.
Another—
He sidestepped.
It felt like his body was moving on its own.
Like something was guiding him.
That feeling again…
The same quiet, deep current.
Not mana.
Something else.
The rat grew more aggressive, frustrated that it couldn't land a clean hit.
It lunged wildly.
Leo used that moment to roll away, grabbing another pole from the ground.
His grip tightened.
Think…
He couldn't overpower it.
But maybe—
His eyes shifted.
An old building nearby.
Two stories.
Cracked walls. Weak structure.
A plan formed.
Leo exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
The rat charged again.
Leo stepped back—then turned and ran.
Not in fear.
But with purpose.
The rat chased him immediately, crashing through debris as it followed.
Leo didn't look back.
Step by step—
He led it straight toward the building.