Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

Chapter 72: Fallen friend

"Angelica, do something!" Vic, still kneeling, whipped his head back toward her as the bats swarmed closer, their screeches growing louder. "If you don't, we're all dead! And you'll never get a chance to make your family pay!" His voice rang out, thick with desperation and fear.

The urgency in his words jolted Angelica from her paralysis, igniting a spark of fierce determination within her. Her fearful expression transformed, hardening into one of steely resolve.

She took a steadying breath, her feet rooted firmly in place as she focused. Sparks of purple electricity crackled around her hands as she thrust them forward, unleashing a powerful bolt of lightning.

The lightning shot forward with a loud crack, striking the oncoming bats and sending them flying backward in a storm of energy.

"Way to go," Vic managed to call out, still panting from his spot on the ground, a faint, relieved smile breaking through his exhaustion.

Angelica paid him no attention, stepping forward again, raising both hands. With another intense burst, she unleashed another surge of lightning that tore through a larger cluster of bats. Their pained screeches filled the cavern, echoing off the walls as Angelica continued her relentless assault, each bolt crackling with precision.

Behind her, Vic and the others watched in awe, barely able to comprehend her power.

Ivy moved toward Vic, dropping to her knees beside him. "Let me heal you," she murmured, her voice gentle as she placed her hands on his chest. A soft yellow light glowed from her palms, spreading across Vic's body and enveloping him in its warmth. Slowly, the injuries he had sustained in his struggle with the bats began to knit together, healing under Ivy's touch.

But Ivy was a lower-graded healer, so the process was slow. It took her several painstaking minutes to completely mend his wounds, and though his injuries disappeared, Vic remained on his knees, visibly drained. While Ivy could heal the wounds, restoring his stamina was beyond her ability.

"You've done enough. Go back to David," Vic said gently, his voice softened by exhaustion. Ivy gave a slight nod and rose, making her way back to where David stood several meters away.

David was motionless, his expression unreadable. He had stood there since they arrived, without a single flicker of fear or even acknowledgment, his face an emotionless mask. It was impossible to tell if he felt any fear at all.

No one had heard David utter a single word since their arrival. In fact, it had been months since he had last spoken. The only time anyone had ever heard his voice was during their initial introductions. Since then, he had remained utterly silent, watching with a detached intensity, emotion absent from his face and his actions.

"Can't you help them, David?" Ivy's voice broke through the silence as she looked up at him. "They need an extra hand. I've done my part healing Vic. Do something instead of just standing there." But David's eyes remained fixed, unmoving, his attention wholly focused on Silas.

Annoyance flickered across Ivy's face at his silence. She turned her gaze back to the ongoing battle. Silas was locked in combat with the Cave Orcs, while Angelica continued to hold off the relentless swarm of bats.

As Ivy and David stood there, a hulking figure emerged from the shadowed depths behind them. It was another Cave Orc, identical to those Silas was battling a few meters away.

The Orc raised its clawed hand, swinging it down toward Ivy with brutal force. David noticed the massive shadow darkening the ground beside them, and as he turned, he saw the deadly claws racing toward Ivy with blinding speed.

Before he could react or shout a warning, the claws made contact.

SLASH!

The Orc's claws slashed through Ivy's body, from her head down to her back. Blood splattered everywhere, raining down as she let out a chilling scream. Her cries of agony echoed through the cavern, drawing the horrified attention of her comrades. They turned, their eyes widening in horror as they took in the sight of Ivy lying in a crimson pool of her own blood.

"IVY!" Vic and Angelica shouted in unison, their voices raw with shock and fear.

David stood frozen, cold sweat beading on his brow as the Orc turned its cruel gaze toward him. His heart thundered in his chest, paralyzed with terror as he watched the creature raise its claws for another strike.

"Damn it!" Silas cursed under his breath, his expression twisted with fury.

[Active Skill: Lightning Dash has been activated]

The Orc's claws paused in midair as Silas rocketed forward, covering the distance in a blink. In an instant, he stood between David and the monstrous creature, his scythe gripped tightly in his hands.

Silas swung his weapon upward in a deadly arc, his movements quick and precise.

[Passive Skill: Soul Slash has been activated]

The scythe sliced upward, tearing through the Orc's legs and up to its chest, splitting the creature open. Dark purple blood sprayed from its wounds as its massive body crashed to the ground in a lifeless heap.

[Congratulations, you have slain a Cave Orc]

Silas pulled his scythe from the creature's body, the notification flashing in his mind as he turned his gaze toward Ivy, lying motionless, her eyes barely open and filled with pain.

Vic crawled to her side, his face stricken as he checked her pulse. Angelica continued battling the bats, knowing that even a brief pause could spell disaster. She fought on, trusting Vic to care for their fallen friend.

"Hey, hey! Are you okay? Ivy, can you hear me?" Vic's voice shook as he tapped her shoulder gently, trying to rouse her. But Ivy's eyes remained shut, her body still as stone.

Silas, having seen enough death to know the signs, understood immediately that Ivy was gone. His experiences with loss had left him keenly aware of the difference between life and death.

"Ivy, Ivy! Come on, wake up! Ivy!" Vic's voice cracked as he shook her gently, desperation creeping into his tone. But she gave no response. Angelica, tears streaming down her cheeks, continued her assault on the bats, her movements growing fiercer with each tear that fell.

Silas's blood boiled, rage overtaking him as he clenched his scythe with trembling hands. He turned, eyes blazing, toward the remaining Orcs. A fierce red energy began to radiate from him, growing brighter as his fury intensified. His eyes glowed with a fiery red light, his gaze locked onto the mutants as more Orcs appeared from the shadows.

The red energy around Silas intensified, casting an eerie glow across the entire cavern. The Orcs, sensing something dangerous and unfamiliar, hesitated, clearly intimidated by the ominous aura surrounding him.

[DING!]

[Host has entered the Apex Rampage Mode]

[Info: Apex Rampage Mode is a rare occurrence triggered by extreme anger or profound sadness.]

[More information: The Apex Rampage Mode grants the Host enhanced strength, speed, and healing abilities, similar to the effect of running wild. However, in this mode the host retains full control over his actions.]

[Duration: Apex Rampage Mode will last for 10 minutes.]

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