A piercing shriek shattered the pre-dawn stillness. Irvin's eyes snapped open, his body sluggish, trying to move before his mind fully registered the danger. He got to his feet, scanning the dim camp through sleep-blurred eyes.

  Dark shapes burst from the undergrowth - massive, twisted forms with hairless tails and yellowed fangs. The mutated rats charged through their makeshift camp, each one the size of a large dog. Their claws tore into the earth, leaving deep gouges as they bounded toward the nearest people.

  Blood-curdling screams erupted as the creatures struck. A rat clamped its jaws around someone's leg, dragging them into the shadows. Another survivor swung a branch wildly, but the rat dodged and lunged for their throat.

  "Get up! Move!" Irvin shouted, shoving Sarah and the other women toward the treeline.

  Irvin's hand instinctively tightening around one of the monster claws near him. He crouched low, his eyes darting between the five creatures as they finished shredding their first victims. Their heads swiveled, seeking new prey, and they took off after another fleeing survivor.

  Shit, shit, shit, Irvin's mind raced. His heart pounded, threatening to burst through his ribcage. He wanted to run, to flee like the others, but his legs refused to cooperate. It was as if they'd turned to stone, rooting him to the spot.

  "There's two more," Derek's urgent whisper cut through Irvin's panic. He glanced around, suddenly aware that Derek, Sarah, and Lisa, the younger girl hadn't run. They huddled close, eyes wide with fear.

  Are they fucking morons? Irvin thought, his mind screaming at them to run, to do something other than stand there like deer in headlights.

  Then he saw them. Two more of the dog-sized monsters, racing towards their little group. Irvin's breath caught in his throat. He tried to stand, to run away, but his legs shook so badly he could barely straighten up from his crouch.

  "Help! Someone!" Mike's voice cut through the chaos.

  Irvin turned to see Mike backed against a fallen log, two massive rats advancing on him. His face contorted in terror as he scrambled backward. One rat snapped at his leg while the other circled to flank him.

  The screams around him faded into a dull roar, his focus narrowing to the approaching creatures. The claw in his hand felt slick with sweat. He gripped it tighter.

  As the first monster lunged, Irvin swung wildly. The claw whooshed through the air, missing the creature entirely. The momentum of his swing threw him off balance, inadvertently saving him as the first monster sailed past.

  But Irvin had no time to feel relief. A weight slammed into his back, sharp claws digging into his flesh. Hot breath panted against his neck as the second monster latched onto him.

  Pain exploded across Irvin's back. He let out a strangled cry, more of surprise than anything else. His mind struggled to process what was happening. One moment he'd been gathering wood, the next he was fighting for his life against creatures that shouldn't exist.

  I'm going to die, the thought flashed through his mind. I'm going to die, and I haven't even figured out how this new world works yet.

  Panic gave way to a surge of adrenaline. Irvin's survival instinct kicked in, overriding his fear. He spun around, trying to dislodge the creature on his back. Its claws dug deeper, tearing through his skin.

  "Get it off!" he yelled, his voice cracking. "Someone fucking help me!"

  Out of the corner of his eye, Irvin saw Derek frozen in place, his face a mask of terror. Sarah and the girl were clutching each other in fear, both of them trembling.

  Useless, Irvin thought bitterly. They're all fucking useless.

  He stumbled backwards, dropping the claw he grabbed for the ratt. He grabbed it by its head and pulled, the monster gave in surprisingly easily.

  Seizing the opportunity, Irvin threw himself to the ground, rolling clutching on, as its neck snapped.

  Gasping for breath, Irvin scrambled to his feet. His back felt like it was on fire, warm blood trickling down his spine. But he was alive. Somehow, against all odds, he was still alive.

  The first monster circled back, its eyes locked on him. It crouched low, muscles tensing as it prepared to pounce.

  Irvin's looked for some weapon. The claw he'd been holding had fallen during the struggle. I'm not dying here, he thought, a grim determination taking hold. Not like this. Not today.

  The monster leaped.

  Irvin dropped to one knee and thrust his arm up, fingers grabbing for the, creature's soft underbelly. It was a desperate move, born of instinct rather than any real plan.

  To Irvin's shock, his hand sunk into the monster's flesh. He felt something warm and wet envelop his fingers. The creature's momentum carried it past him, but not before Irvin's grip tightened on whatever he'd grabbed inside its body.

  With a sickening tear, Irvin yanked his hand back. Something long and ropey came with it, trailing blood and viscera. The monster crashed to the ground behind him, twitching and without sound.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Irvin stared at his hand, now coated in blood he dropped whatever he was holding. His stomach lurched, but he fought down the urge to vomit.

  Irvin's heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the area, searching for more of the monstrous creatures. His eyes darted from shadow to shadow, expecting another attack at any moment.

  Blood dripped from Irvin's hands as he scanned the clearing. Through the shadows of the trees, he spotted Derek stumbling backward, three of the beasts advancing on him. A woman's body lay crumpled nearby, her throat torn open.

  Irvin's muscles coiled, ready to flee into the darkness. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to run, to leave Derek to his fate. But a calculating voice in his mind cut through the panic. More dead monsters meant more opportunities for augments. More power.

  His gaze fixed on the claw he'd dropped during the earlier struggle. It glinted dully in the dim light, still wet with monster blood. Irvin's fingers closed around it, the familiar weight steadying his racing thoughts.

  One step forward. Then another. Derek's panicked breathing grew louder as Irvin approached. One of the creatures had Derek pinned against a tree, its clamped over his forearm.

  Irvin burst into motion, driving his shoulder into the beast's side. The impact sent them both tumbling across the ground. He felt something crack beneath him as they rolled, the monster's ribs giving way under him. When they came to a stop, the creature lay still, its chest caved in.

  Derek slumped against the tree, clutching his bleeding chest. His eyes were wide with shock and relief.

  "Thank... thank you," Derek gasped.

  Irvin didn't respond, already scanning for the next target. If he played this right, he could turn this disaster into an advantage. More dead monsters meant more chances at augments. And right now, power was the only currency that mattered.

  Irvin watched as three monsters run over someone, their teeth tearing into his flesh. The man's screams pierced the night air before cutting off with a wet gurgle. Beyond him, a woman stumbled and fell, immediately swarmed by the creatures.

  Fuck, this isn't going to work, Irvin realized, his stomach churning. Forget augments. We will loose too many people. He needed people - for protection, for resources, for survival.

  "We need to get out of the park!" Irvin grabbed Derek's arm, hauling him up from the tree. "Everyone, to me! Tom, cover us - throw rocks at anything that moves!"

  The four women behind him rushed to his side. Other survivors scrambled toward their group, desperation evident in their wild eyes. Irvin's jaw clenched as he saw someone limping behind, clutching a bloody leg. The monsters would smell the blood.

  How many will die? He wondered as his feet picked up the pace. You just need to be faster then the next guy.

  They pushed forward through the overgrown park, vegetation crackling under their feet. Two rats burst from a thicket, but Tom's quick throws caught them in their face, disorienting them long enough for Irvin to dispatch them with his claw and fists.

  "Keep moving!" Irvin shouted, scanning the darkness ahead. The women scrambled close behind him, their breathing ragged with fear.

  More screams erupted behind them. Irvin forced himself not to look back, focusing instead on the path ahead. Their death buys us time, he rationalized. Can't save everyone.

  Four more rats blocked their path. Tom's accuracy proved invaluable, stones striking their sensitive noses and eyes. Irvin lunged forward, driving his claw into the nearest one's head. The others scattered, giving their group the opening they needed.

  They emerged from the park onto a debris-strewn street. Irvin didn't slow down, leading them deeper into the city. Every intersection brought new tension, new fears of what might lurk in the shadows. But the rat pack seemed to have stayed behind, perhaps satisfied with easier prey.

  After an hour of frantic movement through the transformed cityscape, Irvin finally called for a stop. The group collapsed on the ground, exhausted and shell-shocked. Derek slumped beside him, still clutching his injured arm.

  Pain radiated from Irvin's back as he sat on a grass covered road, watching the survivors catch their breath. Blood trickled down his spine, the wound burning with every movement. Around him, people nursed their injuries - Derek's mangled arm, Lisa's twisted ankle, Tom's bruised ribs.

  Thirteen left. Irvin counted heads, noting how the women huddled together, keeping their distance from Mike and his cronies. Three dead back there. Could've been worse.

  Sarah dabbed at a cut on Melissa's shoulder with trembling hands. "We need something to clean these wounds."

  "And water." Derek's voice cracked. "Haven't had a drink since yesterday morning."

  Irvin's tongue felt like sandpaper in his mouth. The thirst had been easy to ignore during the fight, but now it clawed at his throat. Infection will kill us before the monsters if we don't clean these injuries.

  He pushed himself up, ignoring the protest from his back. "We need to find the river."

  "Through the city?" Mike scoffed. "That's suicide."

  "Not through the center." Irvin traced the path in his mind. "The dorm's are near the edge of the town, by the river. Less buildings, less monsters."

  "How can you be sure?" Dave crossed his arms, but Irvin noticed how he swayed on his feet.

  "Because the creatures are made from the pets in the city. There are no pets near the university." Irvin met Sarah's eyes. "We go around the edge, through the suburbs. Safer."

  Tom nodded. "Makes sense. Better than sitting here waiting to die."

  The women murmured agreement. Even Erik, who'd been silent since their escape, gave a slight nod.

  "Fine." Mike's jaw clenched. "Lead the way, hero."

  Let's ignore this moron, Irvin thought as they helped the injured to their feet. The group is on my side, lets keep it that way.

  They moved slowly, Tom supporting Derek while Lisa limped along with Melissa's help. The morning sun beat down on their naked bodies as they picked their way through the transformed streets.

  The group fell into two distinct clusters - the women staying close to Irvin and Tom, while Mike, Dave, and Erik brought up the rear, muttering among themselves.

  Augments.

  Irvin though entering his mind space, he realized at some point that no matter how much time he spends watching the augmented silhouette of his body, its mere moments in the world. He could check and assign his augments without worrying about the outside.

  Augments: 3

  Head [Intelligence] 0

  Heart [Charisma] 0

  Hands [Spirit] 0

  Belly [Strength] 5 — [Constitution] 4

  Legs [Agility] 0

  Pushing constitution to five. The second dark space in his belly fully filled with light. However this time there wasn't a third hole opening, instead a sudden wave of disorientation washing over him.

  A strange thought invaded his mind, burrowing deep into his memory. He felt an inexplicable urge to venture beyond the city borders. The feeling vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving behind only a vague sense of direction.

  [Advancement]

  [Your body has reached its limit, while still lacking in other aspects, you have been given opportunity to advance beyond your original form]

  [Your integration is postponed until you clear the advancement]

  [You might need help. Good luck]