Chapter 14: Mobs
Alan cursed quietly as he realized how serious the situation was becoming.
He understood very well the danger they were in. The noise and chaos grew louder, and a large group of frightened civilians outside wanted to get into their safe place. The mob was getting closer and closer.
Alan knew from past experiences how dangerous an unruly mob could be. He remembered the risks they posed if they managed to break through the building's defenses. But he hadn't expected them to arrive so quickly.
Suddenly, a terrifying sound broke the silence, grabbing everyone's attention. It was like the sound of breaking glass, a signal of imminent danger. Luis, filled with fear, begged them to leave immediately.
Alan shook his head and commanded, "Back door!"
His urgency didn't leave any room for discussion. The five companions acted quickly, their hearts racing. The room turned chaotic as they rushed towards the emergency exit at the back. Each step they took was filled with their own thoughts, focused on one goal: escaping. Fueled by adrenaline, the Mexican man sprinted forward and opened the steel door without hesitation.
"Arrrghh! No!" Luis cried out in agony.
Two frightened civilians had managed to get inside their safe space and were attacking Luis, pinning him down. Alan, driven by a protective instinct, used all his strength to push against the steel door, preventing the intruders from getting any closer. But the sheer force of the mob on the other side was overwhelming, and they were determined to break through the barrier.
Vicky, filled with adrenaline, tried to free Luis from the attackers' grip, but her efforts were in vain. Their hold was unrelenting.
Meanwhile, Sam, frozen in shock, stood motionless, trying to make sense of the chaotic scene unfolding before him. Amidst the turmoil, Luis's desperate screams for help echoed through the air, stirring a deep sense of anguish.
In that moment, Alan couldn't help but regret bringing inexperienced individuals into this dangerous situation. Most of them lacked the courage to even fight against non-player characters.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged when Milo, the American-Italian man, rushed forward and braced the door.
"Good!" Alan exclaimed with gratitude, the weight of the situation lessened ever so slightly. He swiftly extended a helping hand to Luis, lifting him up, and delivered a powerful, bone-crushing kick to the man still holding him captive.
[Impact: Kick Inflicts 17 Damage]
[Impact: Kick Inflicts 19 Damage. Target Knocked Out...]
With one NPC incapacitated Alan swiftly turned his attention to the second assailant, unleashing a devastating punch that struck the face with precision and force.
[Impact: Punch Inflicts 16 Damage]
He struck again, unleashing a barrage of blows with unwavering determination.
[Impact: Punch Inflicts 17 Damage. Target Knocked Out...]
As the two assailants fell to the ground, defeated, their forms dissipated into ethereal energy, leaving Alan with a sense of accomplishment.
[You gained 80 XP and 20 survival points]
As their victory was short-lived, the mob outside grew even more aggressive, intensifying their assault. The five companions exchanged anxious glances, silently acknowledging the urgency of the situation.
"What do we do now?" Luis's voice quivered with fear, mirroring the unease that gripped them all.
Before they could formulate a plan, a cacophony of noise erupted from the front of the hospital, piercing through the chaos. Alan's eyes widened, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins.
"The front door!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination and a hint of apprehension. Without hesitation, he lunged toward the source, his instincts taking over.
A chilling sight greeted him—a wave of desperate NPC mobs flooded the hospital lobby, their eyes filled with desperation.
Alan wasted no time, unleashing a swift and powerful high kick that struck the nearest mob with deadly accuracy.
[Impact: Lethal Attack, Inflicts 30 Damage, Target Knocked Out...]
The blow hit a critical area, amplifying the damage inflicted and rendering the assailant instantly incapacitated.
[You gained 40 XP and 10 survival points]
"Who's next?" Alan taunted, provoking the remaining mobs to charge at him.
Their frenzied eyes locked onto him, their hunger for violence palpable. One by one, they lunged at him, but Alan's years of combat experience served as an impenetrable shield to anticipate their every move, swiftly countering with precision strikes.
Two mobs, sensing an opportunity, launched simultaneous attacks—one from the front and another from behind. Alan's instincts kicked in, and he deftly parried the incoming blow, using his hand to draw the opponent closer.
Swiftly his knee connected with the assailant's face, propelling him backward in a whirlwind of pain.
Another mob, sensing an opening, attempted a kick from behind. But Alan, sidestepped effortlessly, evading the attack with calculated grace.
His right elbow struck the mob to his right, delivering a powerful blow that sent shockwaves of pain through his opponent's body.
Though Alan focused his strikes on vital areas, delivering lethal attacks in the midst of hand-to-hand combat proved challenging. However, his [Unarmed Combat (Novice)] skill bestowed upon him a 25% damage bonus for each strike, providing the extra edge needed to dispatch the mobs swiftly.
[You gained 200 XP and 50 survival points]
The other members of the group, who had arrived slightly later, could only gaze in awe at Alan's prowess.
To their surprise, Alan did not immediately seal the door, but instead, he awaited the onslaught of more mobs.
"What was he doing? Was he crazy?!" Luis's voice rose above the chaos, desperate and concerned.
Alan, his gaze steady and resolute, remained calm amidst the chaos. His reasoning became clear as he engaged the incoming mobs with calculated precision. These fresh adversaries, with their measly 30 HP and lack of special skills, served as mere warm-ups for Alan's battle-hardened form. With each strike, his confidence grew, and he managed to defeat half of the mobs before Vicky and Milo joined the fray.
Milo, once again showcasing his skill and finesse, impressed Alan with his swift and powerful punch strikes. As for Vicky, despite struggling against a single opponent, her unwavering courage earned her respect in Alan's eyes.
After vanquishing yet another mob, a notification—long-awaited and anticipated—flashed before Alan's eyes.
[You level up to level 4]
A surge of exhilaration coursed through Alan's veins, fueling his determination. As soon as he read the message, a triumphant shout erupted from his lips.
"Okay, close the door!"