Free Web NovelChapter 51: Bizarre Bazaar (1)
Shinon, Rico, and Kira had been walking around the abandoned city for hours. Apparently, there was a bazaar inside the abandoned zoo where Kira and Sarah used to get clothes for everybody before they were forced to relocate.
But since the bazaar was so close to the zoo, no one ever bothered checking it up for supplies as they all feared mutated creatures of the zoo would attack them, and unlike the zombies, mutated or zombified animals were not so easy to deal with.
"Fortunately for us," Kira boasted as she led the way. "There are no creatures left alive in the zoo. Most of them either got killed or fled the place when the zombies first appeared." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"You can say what you want, Kira, but it never hurt to be more careful," Rico retorted. "Especially in these areas."
"I agree," Shinon nodded. "We might not encounter mutated animals, but zombies and other survivors are a real threat."
"Says the one going around shirtless." Kira rolled her eyes while they carried on ahead.
The zoo was once a lively and colourful place, filled with the sounds of happy children and the exotic calls of wild animals. But now, it was a desolate and eerie place, overrun by the undead. But surprisingly, there was no undead there, and the place was empty.
As they walked through the entrance gates, Shinon was immediately greeted by the stench of decay and the sight of bloodied cages. The once beautiful gardens were now overgrown with weeds and vines, and the buildings were battered and broken.
"You sure this is the right path?" He asked Kira.
According to her, the market was located inside the zoo. But why would someone do something like that? At least in Shinon’s mind, it didn’t make any sense.
"Oh, come on!" Kira sighed, clearly annoyed by the boys. "These constant questions are why I wanted to come here alone!"
"Alright, alright," Rico intervened. "No more questions now, but can we please hurry?"
As they walked down a deserted path inside the zoo, they suddenly heard a low, guttural growl that seemed to be coming from the end of the bear habitat. Shinon immediately drew his sword, his instincts telling him something dangerous was near.
"Animals fled the zoo, right? Then it must be a ghost."
"...this is the first time I have heard anything like that," Kira replied, drawing her pistols. "believe me, this place didn’t use to have any animals for the past three years."
"Less talk, more action."
Rico pulled out his machetes, and Kira readied her pistols, her fingers tightening around the grips. They slowly made their way towards the source of the sound, moving cautiously and quietly.
As they turned the corner, they saw it. A zombified grizzly bear, the size of an elephant, was lumbering towards them, its eyes dull and lifeless, its fur matted and covered in patches of decay.
Its mouth constantly dripped with blood and other fluids, and its claws were longer and sharper than usual. Shinon knew they needed to act fast before becoming the bear’s lunch.
"Motherfucker! Regular bears were enough trouble to handle, but now we got colossal ones!?" Rico panicked a bit, and so did Kira.
"Rico, Kira, take the left flank," Shinon said, his voice low and urgent. "I’ll take the right. We need to try and flank it and take it down before it gets too close."
Rico nodded, his face grim, and Kira gave Shinon a quick nod of acknowledgement. They quickly split up, moving around the bear and positioning themselves for the attack.
Shinon moved quickly and silently, his shadowmancy skills allowing him to blend in with the shadows and move without being noticed. He made his way around to the right flank, his sword at the ready.
Rico and Kira took up their positions on the left, their weapons glinting in the dim light. They waited, their eyes fixed on the bear who miraculously hadn’t noticed them yet, ready to strike. The bear was getting closer, its movements slow and lumbering.
It seemed to finally be aware of the intruders and began searching for its next victim, its eyes darting around the street. Suddenly, Shinon saw his chance. He dashed out of the shadows, his sword glinting in the light.
He swung his sword with all his might, aiming for the bear’s head. The bear was caught off guard, let out a deafening roar, and turned to face Shinon. But Shinon was too quick.
He ducked under the bear’s massive paw and plunged his sword into its side. The bear let out a roar of pain and turned to face Shinon again. But Rico and Kira had taken advantage of the distraction and had moved in to attack.
Rico swung his machetes with all his might, his muscles straining with the effort. Kira fired her pistols, the sound echoing through the deserted street. The bear was surrounded, and it didn’t know which way to turn. It roared in frustration, its massive body heaving with each breath.
But the three survivors were determined to take it down. While Rico and Kira did so for their survival, Shinon only wanted to make armour from the bear’s tough fur.
Shinon lunged forward again, his sword flashing in the light. He aimed for the bear’s head, hoping to deliver a fatal blow and be done with it. Also, by killing a stronger beast than themselves, Shinon would be able to analyse the capabilities of his sword.
’I should probably not mention that I knew about the bear, or they’ll start asking questions.’ Shinon thought it himself.
Hunting down the bear was another Daily quest he received from the system. However, since it was a level 30 beast, the system gave him a group quest. Hence Rico’s and Kira’s participation didn’t lead to quest failure.
Meanwhile, the bear tried to swipe at him with its massive claws, but Shinon was too quick. He dodged to the side and swung his sword again, this time hitting the bear’s shoulder.
Rico and Kira continued to attack from the other side, slashing and shooting at the bear. The bear was weakening, its movements slowing down as it got riddled with injuries. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
But just when it seemed like they had the upper hand, the bear let out a terrifying roar, forcing them to cover their ears and charged straight at them. Shinon barely had time to dodge out of the way, but Rico and Kira were caught off guard.
The bear’s massive claws swiped at Rico, cutting deep into his arm and pushing him away. He cried out in pain but managed to keep his grip on his machetes as he hit the stone pillar on the side.
Kira, too, was in trouble. The bear had lunged at her, and its jaws were dangerously close to her face. She could smell its rancid breath and feel its hot breath on her skin.
"Fuck, Kira!"
