Reality Hacker: Apocalypse Loop

The bungled attack completed the transition—

Green-furred abomination. 

Eyeballs on stalks swivelled toward Ethan and Wang scrambling over marble. 

"Hrrrg... three little lambs..." 

Foul spit dribbled as it lurched forward—claw scraping against stone. 

The fetor of rot intensified. 

"SON OF A BITCH!" Wang's face flushed beet red. "A sneak-attack? I will skin you alive!" 

He pulled out a gun— 

"NO GUNFIRE!" Ethan gasped, his back burning. "Draws every monster in a mile!" 

Wang stopped—holstered the gun. 

Under the chandelier, the nightmare stood revealed: 

Torn uniform gaping over bulging muscles 

Yellowed hair matted in green mold 

Claws like butcher knives 

Step. Scrape. Step. 

Ethan's heart raced. No escape... 

Eyes of Doomed cooldown: 23 min. 

"Weapons room—GO NOW!" Wang tossed a Ming vase. 

SHATTERED harmlessly—but bought seconds. 

Wan'er snapped from daze, running toward an inner door. 

Ethan seized another vase— 

WHOOSH! 

The monster swatted it—claws SNAPPING towards Wang's throat! 

Priority target: The one with the weapon. 

Wang's belt cracked like a whip—

—Beast CAUGHT IT IN MID-AIR. 

"Let GO!" Wang no longer held the belt, pants sagging as he stumbled. 

"HERE!" 

Wan'er tossed katanas. Steel sweetened to a ring as Wang drew his.

SLASH!

Blade cut halfway into the neck—

"HELP ME SHOVE IT THROUGH!"

Ethan lunged, driving the katana toward the beast's throat—

CLANG!

Tip barely parted its hide.

"GGRRAAAA—!" The beast's eyes LIGHT UP VIOLET. Limbs are locked in mid-backward swing.

Now!

They both blasted their weight down on (the) hilts.

SCHLICK!

Blades met in the neck. Cut the spine in two.

The creature fell over. Katanas standing like cemetery markers.

Ethan slumped against the wall, winded.

"If it hadn't frozen in that pose..."

Wang faced Wan'er—slumped against the doorframe, trembling.

"You did that. What is your skill?"

Wan'er looked tired before fighting...

Wan'er blinked and gave a weak nod.

"Mind Shackles. Paralyze non-humans. But... it was too strong. Almost broke free."

Wang whistled. Ethan's eyes sharpened.

"And your skill 'Fat Wang'? Didn't see the use during the brawl."

The veteran's smile slanted thin.