Apocalypse Baby - Chapter 53 - First Attack

Alex blinked, caught off guard by Nancy’s words. He frowned slightly, the disbelief evident in his voice. “You really thought I was a bad person?”

Nancy tilted her head, her expression calm but thoughtful. “I just assumed…” she began, pausing to choose her words carefully. “I thought you’d be so consumed by rage—so angry at the world and everyone in it—that it would turn into hatred.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, her explanation intriguing him.

“And?”

She gave a small smile, shrugging.

“And now I see that’s not the case.”

Alex wasn’t sure how to respond, so he settled on the simplest reply.

“Thanks, I guess?”

For a moment, silence settled between them as they walked.

Nancy seemed lost in thought, her steps lighter but purposeful.

Then, without warning, she broke the quiet.

“So, what’s your motivation?”

Alex glanced at her, noticing the curiosity in her eyes. The answer came easily—it was something he had already decided.

“Power,” he said without hesitation.

Nancy stopped mid-step and narrowed her eyes at him, trying to read his expression.

“Power?” she prodded.

Alex then explained, his tone calm but resolute.

“Power to thrive in this changing world,” he said, gesturing around him as if to indicate the strange new reality they found themselves in. “There are forces in this world—things that are far beyond anything we can comprehend. Monsters, systems, even people who will treat us like pieces on a chessboard.”

He paused, his gaze hardening. “I refuse to be a pawn in anyone’s game. I’m seeking power so I can walk my own path, make my own choices, and never be at the mercy of someone else’s plans.”

Nancy tilted her head slightly, her tone light but filled with admiration.

“That’s a rather grand motivation, don’t you think?” she said with a teasing grin. “Mine’s much simpler—just to get home, curl up in bed, and fall asleep. That’s all I want.”

Alex blinked, caught off guard. A chuckle escaped him before he could stop it. “You’re kidding,” he said, eyebrows raised.

But Nancy’s expression didn’t change. She looked completely serious, meeting his gaze with steady determination. “Don’t mock my goal,” she said, crossing her arms.

Alex raised his hands in surrender, smirking. “Alright, alright. I won’t mock it.”

He couldn’t help but laugh quietly to himself. Talking to her was strangely refreshing—she had a way of being funny, even when she wasn’t trying to be.

But just as he was starting to relax, Alex froze mid-step.

His body tensed, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Something wasn’t right.

Nancy noticed his sudden change in demeanor. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.

Alex held up a hand to signal her to stay quiet. He focused, his heightened senses kicking in. There—it was faint but growing louder. Rapid footsteps, heavy and irregular, pounding against the forest floor.

He turned his head slightly, his voice low but clear. “Something’s coming. Fast.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the scout ahead of the group. The man had stopped, his posture stiff, eyes darting around as if he’d sensed the same thing. But Alex could tell the scout’s detection skills were limited—likely due to his low level.

For Alex, though, it was different. His time in this world and his enhanced stats had sharpened his instincts. The sound of snapping branches and rustling leaves painted a clear picture in his mind.

His voice cut through the tense silence. “Monsters. A dozen, maybe more. They’re closing in fast.”

Gasps rippled through the group as people started to panic, their eyes darting around wildly.

“Is it true?!”

“Seriously?”

“So soon?”

“I can’t do this.”

“Are you sure?”

Whispers of panic rippled through the group, the tension rising like a wave about to crash. Jonah’s brow furrowed as he turned to the scout, Ash, who stood frozen, his eyes darting around the forest. Ash squinted into the shadows, his posture tense, but after a moment, he shrugged.

“I don’t see anything,” Ash said cautiously, scanning their surroundings one more time. “I don’t sense anything either.”

Jonah turned to Alex, his expression skeptical but calm. “How do you know, Alex? Do you have some kind of detection skill?”

All eyes fell on Alex, the murmurs quieting as they awaited his response. Alex crossed his arms and thought for a second. No, he didn’t have any fancy detection skills—just honed instincts and heightened senses from his time here. But he wasn’t about to explain that.

“I can’t say I do,” Alex replied evenly, his calm tone standing in stark contrast to the growing tension around him.

The response was like fuel to a smoldering fire.

“What?!”

“Then why—”

“Quit playing around, you piece of shit!” Thompson’s voice erupted, sharp and accusatory. He stepped forward, pointing a trembling finger at Alex. “You think this is a joke?”

“Are you messing with us?” another voice shouted, the frustration spreading.

“You think this is funny?” someone else added, their tone sharp and biting.

Nancy frowned at the people scolding Alex. She didn’t know him well, but from their brief interactions, she could tell he wasn’t the type to joke around in serious situations.

Ash, the scout, continued scanning the forest, his body tense as his eyes darted between the trees. Suddenly, his expression changed—his face went pale, and his hand shot up to point.

“There!” Ash shouted. “I see them! They’re coming—fast! About a dozen!”

The group turned in the direction Ash pointed, and in the distance, dark shapes moved swiftly through the underbrush. They were low to the ground, sleek and powerful, like oversized cheetahs with glowing, menacing eyes. Their movements were fast, coordinated, and terrifying.

The berating died instantly, replaced by silence and wide-eyed fear.

Alex stood firm, his face calm, though his heart raced.

I told you, he thought, but now wasn’t the time for vindication.

Panic rippled through the group like a shockwave.

“They’re coming straight for us!” someone yelled, their voice cracking.

Jonah’s sharp gaze scanned the group.

It was chaos—some people were frozen in fear, while others trembled visibly, muttering under their breaths.

They weren’t ready for this, not so soon after arriving in this strange and hostile world.

Jonah clenched his fists. He had to act fast.

“Can we outrun them?” he asked, his voice urgent but steady as he turned to Ash.

Ash shook his head, already nocking an arrow to his bow. “Impossible! They’re too fast, and there are too many of them. If we run, they’ll pick us off one by one. We have to fight!”

The weight of Ash’s words sank in, and the group collectively stiffened.

Jonah inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay calm.

“Listen up!” Jonah barked, his voice cutting through the rising panic. “If you can’t fight, get to the center! Now!”

However before anyone could react, the first beast appeared, a blur of motion as it lunged straight for one of the group.

Its target was Evelyn.

Her eyes widened in terror as the cheetah-like creature sprang toward her, jaws open wide, aiming for her neck. Frozen in fear, she turned her head and instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for the end.

But then came a calm, low voice.

“Petrify.”

Evelyn cracked one eye open just in time to see the beast midair, its body suddenly stiffening as if it had turned to stone. It crashed heavily to the ground, unable to move.

Alex stepped forward, his sword gleaming as he drove it through the immobilized creature. The blade sunk deep into its side, silencing the beast.

Evelyn gasped, still frozen, as Alex turned toward her and yelled, “Get to the middle now!”

Her feet moved on instinct, carrying her toward the safety of the group’s core.

But before anyone else could act, another tiger leapt from the shadows. This one was faster, fiercer—and merciless. It tackled a young woman at the edge of the group, its massive jaws clamping down on her neck. The sickening sound of bone snapping filled the air, followed by a bloodcurdling scream.

Panic erupted.

The group broke formation as chaos took hold. People shoved each other, scrambling in every direction to escape the advancing beasts.

More of the tigers emerged from the treeline, their sleek bodies circling the group like sharks. Their glowing eyes and low growls sent shivers down spines. Alex quickly glanced at the creatures, his system providing an assessment.

[Swift Tiger – Rank E]

The beasts roared in unison, their cries echoing through the forest.

The sound was primal, a challenge meant to intimidate.

But Alex wasn’t intimidated.

Even Nancy wasn’t as calm. Her hands were trembling, and sweat trickled down her temple. She tried to keep a brave face, but it was obvious she was rattled.

As the others panicked and trembled, Alex lips curled into a grin.

To him, they were no threat—just a pack of overgrown cats.

But to the others, it was as if they were staring into the eyes of death itself.