OLD-WORLD EXTRA

Chapter 365: Too Young To Die

Chapter 365: Too Young To Die

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Xavier Jr watched everything unfold in the distance.

His cohort dipped on him in seconds, and he had no idea what to do, still trying to process what happened.

So as he saw Max getting involved in a punch-up, he stayed back to observe right beside the exit, waiting in case he had to get involved while not risking his life for being too close to where the construct was.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

But once the Cannonjaw Crocodile arrived, his plan went awry.

Why?

Couldn't he just leave since he was nearest to the exit?

Max was already heading towards him, so he didn't have to worry about him; he was going to easily escape.

Yeah, he was... but not Quinn.

A man pushed her down while making a crude joke.

She got run over by many, their feet kicking her black and blue.

In his shock, his body took a few seconds to move, but when it did, he swam through the stampede, against the current, crashing through those that blocked his path as he headed directly towards the explosions, his face never more serious.

As he had a sturdy build, it didn't take him long to reach her, and once he did, he conjured an Aetheric Bulwark that blocked any incoming hunter, creating a gap that gave her a chance to breathe.

He reached out to her, and she immediately latched on to him, pulling herself up only to look at him in shock when she stood fully straight.

Xavier gave a reassuring smile and dragged her along, as he ran towards the exit.

"My cohort ran off too, so don't worry, let's get out together!"

"Don't touch me!"

Quinn pulled her hand away from his grasp, not even thanking him.

Her breaths were stuttered and her steps wobbly, but she kept moving, trailing behind Xavier Jr, the monster getting closer behind them.

"O-Okay, sorry..."

She wasn't in the mood for talking, barely managing to stay conscious as her augmented suit worked hard to heal her damaged head.

If not for her cybernetic implants, death would have been certain.

At that moment, she was almost thankful for the abuse her dad had inflicted.

Her state was that bad.

Boom! Boom!

Explosions continued to go off, rumbling the ground, each boom closing in on them as the seconds ticked by.

The deafening blasts disoriented her further, each explosion sending a shockwave through her already weakened body.

"Quinn, stay with me!"

Xavier shouted over the noise, glancing back to ensure she was still on her feet.

He could see the strain in her eyes, the sheer effort it took for her to keep moving.

The ground continued to shake violently beneath them while dust and debris filled the air, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.

The acrid smell of smoke, blood, and burning materials stung their nostrils, adding to the chaos.

"...Gah!"

Quinn stumbled, her legs threatening to give out, but she pushed herself forward, barely managing to stay upright.

She was not about to die without fulfilling her revenge!

"We're almost there!"

Xavier encouraged, his voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at him.

After three more steps, they finally exited the platform, alongside many others.

But they weren't in the clear.

Just as they stepped foot outside, one of the cannons atop the construct shot out a stray rocket in front of the duo, destroying their path.

The ground erupted in front of them, sending a shower of dirt and shrapnel into the air.

They both skidded to a halt, hearts racing, as they stared at the smoking crater that had been their escape route.

"Fuck!"

"...Dammit."

The realization hit them simultaneously-they weren't going to outrun it.

They had to hide.

"Left!"

Xavier didn't even hesitate as he grabbed her hand once more, pulling her to a hole in the wall, not caring if it contained a nest of Berta Scorpions as they had a way more chilling thing

to worry about.

"Watch where you're going!"

"The fuck are you doing?!"

"Fuck you!"

They crashed against a few screaming hunters on the way, but eventually got in, their steps crawling to a halt as they were met with a tight squeeze.

Xavier Jr went first, letting go of her arm as he squeezed through the tiny hole of rock.

Quinn did the same, only struggling more in the process, needing Xavier Jr to pull her in.

Once settled, they hid by crawling to a corner, then turned off their systems and controlled their Aether as best they could.

She suffered greatly because of that, as the augmented suit no longer healed her since it was offline, causing her to nod her head up and down, barely able to stay awake.

Boom! Boom!

But the explosions outside snapped her eyes open and her back straight.

"It's here! Run-"

"Get out of the way!"

"Watch out!"

"Run!"

"Dammit! I don't want to-!"

Screams resounded just outside the hole, hunters getting blown to bits as explosions rang

out.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

But the chaos quickly died down, leaving a tense silence that suggested everyone had been

killed.

That silence didn't last long however, as heavy steps approached, crunching the ground in

their wake.

The closer the steps got, the slower and more deliberate they became, as if the creature was searching for someone.

Its breath echoed in their ears, unnervingly close, as it stopped moving completely.

The crocodile's head was aimed directly towards the hole.

It knew they were there.

They held their breath, hearts pounding out of their chests.

But it was useless; they knew that the construct had already locked onto them.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

It let out a heavy, ominous growl.

"Fuck... I'm too young to-"

It slammed its head down, easily breaking through the wall and crushing everything

underneath.

Splat!

Opening its mouth, it gobbled up the remains of its prey, chewing for a moment before

swallowing.

Satisfied, it turned back to the drop-off point, uninterested in chasing the rest, and wanting

to eat those it left behind.