Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Morningstar mets Kofi

Growl ~

Clank!

Morningstar blocked the cat's claw and slid back.

He felt like the mutant cat and zombie seemed to be working together, their movements perfectly coordinated as they attacked from both sides which baffled him, he couldn't help but feel like they had some unknown connection with each other.

Suddenly the cat lunged from the left, its claws poised to strike at Morningstar's neck, while the zombie sent a powerful punch hurtling through the air from the right towards his head too at the same time.

Morningstar who has received some bruises suddenly felt his body tense as he prepared to defend himself. His eyes darted from one attacker to the other and his brain calculated the speed and trajectory of their attacks.

It was true what they said, that the heat of battle forged a warrior's skill or birth a true warrior.

With each strike that the mutant cat and zombie made, Morningstar adapted, learning their moves and finding the weaknesses in their attacks then counterattacking although he didn't learn without getting one or two cuts.

As their fist and claw neared his head, he channelled all his strength into his arms and swung his spear sideways, deflecting the zombie's punch.

The force of the impact sent him careening backwards, but it also made the cat's claw slice nothing but air which made it miss its strike.

Morningstar quickly stabilised himself, his muscles coiled and ready for the next move.

[Great! You're learning faster than I expected. It looks like you were born for nothing but war and to kill.] Abyssal praised him.

"..."

But Morningstar said nothing as all his attention was on both the zombie and the cat. He knew any slightest distraction might make those two deal him a fatal blow. Also, he felt like the sly Abyssal was just trying to make him suffer an attack which will give it the chance to possess his body for a while.

As he sidestepped the attacks of the zombie and the mutant cat, he seized his chance, planting his foot firmly on the ground and launching himself towards the cat. He felt like the mutant cat was the more dangerous of the two, its speed and sharp claws made it a formidable foe so he threw his spear flying towards it.

The mutant cat was caught off guard by the sudden move, its primal instinct suddenly warning it of the threat that it faced.

ROAR!

With a deafening roar, the mutant cat suddenly grew in size, its body swelling to an enormous 2 meters tall in an instant. Its red eyes turned black as night sky and its claws became razor sharp and shone with a metallic gleam, even its mouth, two glistening fangs poked out from it.

If that was all, Morningstar might still feel hopeful but around it, a faint flow of air surrounded it.

Just as the spear was about to hit the cat, it lifted its massive paw and swatted it out of the air. The sound of metal clashing with metal filled the air as the spear snapped in two.

Morningstar's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected the cat to have such a powerful counterattack.

[Kiddo,] Abyssal cold voice said. [That cat is no ordinary animal, it seems to have the powers of a wind beast after entering a berserk state, also by using some of its life force, it seems to climb into the next level of strength. In a simple word, it has level up GAME OVER FOR YOU!]

Morningstar's expression darkened at those words as he looked at the cat and took a step back but who was he kidding?

The zombie took the chance to close in on Morningstar with its fist flying towards his chest, Morningstar who already lost his spear decided to engage in a melee fight. Clenching his fist too, he sends it towards the zombie's fist.

Bam!

The force from the zombie's fist sent him staggering backwards as his fist trembled for the first time, he even felt some metallic taste in his mouth and it took him a second to realize it was the taste of blood, gulping it back into his mouth, Morningstar shot towards the zombie again.

Bam

The sound of fists and legs colliding with each other in a blurry motion echoes in an environment filled with collapsed buildings.

As Morningstar who was strangely enjoying this bro-fisting fight and the zombie were locked in a furious battle, the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood up. His instincts were screaming at him, he felt like the Grim Reaper was close to him. Without thinking, he ducked to the side, just as the zombie's fist collided with his shoulder, sending a sharp pain through his body and dislocating his arm.

As he landed, he saw the mutant cat standing where he had been moments before. Its claws were outstretched, ready to tear him apart. He was lucky to have reacted in time, or it would have been the end for him.

[What a fast speed!] Abyssal let out. [Morningstar, you better use this chance to awaken your QI or you won't know what killed you.]

_Who said I haven't awakened it? I just can't control it but can feel it!_ Morningstar yelled inwardly as he rolled away from the zombie's stomping feet, he considered his options. He had to find a way to control his power, or he would be in danger.

In fantasy stories, it's often said that awakening one's QI requires reaching a state of heightened awareness, where the mind and body are completely in sync. It's said that this can be achieved in the midst of a battle when the adrenaline is pumping and the mind is focused. Some stories say that focusing on a single point, like the breath or the heartbeat, can help achieve this state.

As for controlling one's inner QI, it's often depicted as a gradual process, requiring practice and discipline.

As he considered Abyssal's words, Morningstar decided to focus on his breath and his heartbeat or maybe he should try all of them.

As he regulated his breathing, he felt his heart beating steadily in his chest. He began to feel more in control, his mind and body working together as one.

But then, just as he was starting to find his center, the mutant cat struck, its claws swiping at his chest. He felt the searing pain as his flesh tore, and he stumbled backwards.

He gritted his teeth, trying to push past the pain and refocus his mind but the two monsters won't let him be.

_Fuck this, I will run and make them split apart so I can focus on one instead of two._ Morningstar made a split-second decision. He knew he couldn't take on both the mutant cat and the zombie at the same time. If he could just divide them, he could focus on one enemy at a time.

He let out a cry of pain as he grabbed the zombie's fist, the force of the impact shaking his whole body and even worsening his already dislocated arm.

Roar!

Morningstar let out a roar of his own as he twisted his body, using the zombie's fist as leverage. With a massive heave, he flung the zombie towards the cat who lung at him, the two enemies colliding in a tangle of limbs as the cat didn't expect such a twist.

The impact sent them both crashing to the ground.

Morningstar took a deep breath, trying to shake off the pain of the last few moments. He was battered, bruised and has his damn shoulder dislocated!

Without wasting time he dashed off towards a certain place he felt like Zombies wouldn't be there.

Morningstar darted away from the fight as he navigated through the half-collapsed buildings and debris while making for a part of the school.

Ducking, sliding, and jumping his way past the rubble, he could feel the mutant cat closing in on his heels.

He knew he had to find a place where the monsters couldn't follow him, and he had an idea.

_The girl's dormitory! Yes, I can rush there. I will use such an environment to confuse these two._

If he could make it to the girl's dormitory, he could use the tight, confined spaces to his advantage, turning the tables on his attackers.

The school grounds were dark and desolate, the sun obscured by a thick layer of dark clouds the broken buildings cast eerie shadows, and the howls of the mutants echoed through the day.

Meanwhile, all those didn't stop Morningstar who kept running, his legs pumping and his eyes fixed on his destination.

Suddenly, something happened, as Morningstar gazed upon the scene in front of him, his mouth twitched slightly, as if it was trying to turn up into a sad grin but failing miserably.

It was like something out of a bad joke, or a cheesy horror movie.

Morningstar couldn't help but let out a strangled laugh. "You have got to be kidding me."

Why won't he, when right in

front of him was a teen of African descent with short afro hair and a sword in his hand. The boy was running at full speed, his eyes wild with shock as he spotted Morningstar too, it was like time had slowed down as both teens locked gaze with pursuers each on their back.

The zombie chasing the boy was unlike any that Morningstar had ever seen. It was covered in dark, smelly liquids, and its skin was peeling in many places, revealing pale, rotten flesh beneath. Its teeth were stained red, and its eyes were purple with faint dark energy around it.

_Damn, goddess of misfortune, please don't fall in love with me._

(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)