It was impossible to deny what stood before them.
That was an XCP.
The creature advanced slowly, its long and grotesque limbs imposing a fear that froze the students in place.
"RUN!!! WE CAN'T LET THAT THING KILL US!!!"
Chris's voice cracked like a whip, snapping them out of their trance. Without thinking, he grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall and hurled it at the creature.
CLANG!
The extinguisher struck the creature, barely making it flinch, but it was enough. As if someone had flipped a switch, the students bolted, scattering through the gym doors like rats.
The creature turned what was supposed to be its head, analyzing each student.
And then… it chose its prey.
Candace.
Everyone knew Candace wasn't athletic. She wasn't built for running—nor for anything physical, really. And somehow, that thing knew it too.
It lunged after her, chasing her through the hallways.
"NO… NOOO! GET AWAY FROM ME!!!"
Candace screamed as she ran with all her strength. But her body betrayed her—the fear overwhelmed her, sweat plastered her hair to her face, and her steps became clumsy and desperate.
Meanwhile, the creature moved as if it were floating, its massive strides closing the distance with ease.
Unable to go on any further, the girl stumbled.
Candace hit the floor hard, sobbing as she crawled backward on all fours, helpless.
"No… no, no, get away!"
The XCP loomed over her, savoring the fear pouring from its prey. It raised one of its grotesque arms, the limb warping and twisting until it became a deadly spear.
"Think fast!"
THWACK!
A baseball came out of nowhere, smashing straight into the monster's face.
"Did you really think you could mess with one of my students?"
The voice rang out with unshakable authority.
It was Professor William.
He had Jasper strapped to his back and held a baseball bat firmly in one hand.
The creature hesitated, turning its hollow gaze toward the man radiating an unnatural confidence.
"Hey, Candace. Do you think you can carry Jasper?" William asked, never taking his eyes off the monster.
"I-I don't… I don't think… that I can, Professor," she stammered, still trembling.
"Then run to the exit. The school is being evacuated."
"But… what about you?"
"RUN!"
Candace got to her feet and fled, too terrified to argue.
"Sorry, Jasper," William muttered, adjusting the boy on his back. "Looks like I'll have to drag you a little deeper into danger."
"You noticed, didn't you?" William smirked as he looked at the creature. "That's why you're hesitating."
The monster remained still. Its instincts had already warned it:
"that man is dangerous."
"Well, if you're not going to attack… I'll go first." William said, launching himself forward.
The XCP reacted instantly, slashing with its spear-like arm, but William blocked with the bat and, in one smooth motion, kicked the creature square in the face.
The creature counterattacked, trying to stab him from behind, but William twisted midair, flipping over its grotesque body with acrobatic grace.
"Tch. If my team were here, you'd already be done for. But reinforcements are almost here—I just have to hold out."
"Professor…?" Jasper murmured, regaining consciousness. "What's happening?"
There was no time to answer.
The creature attacked again, but William raised the bat and swung it forward.
BOOM! BLASTS!
Razor-sharp waves of compressed air exploded from the swing, slamming into the XCP and forcing it back.
Without losing a second, William struck the monster's legs, making it stagger, and took off running.
"Professor! What's going on!? Wasn't this just a dream?!", Jasper shouted, now fully awake.
"I'll explain later! For now, stay hidden!" William barked.
He stopped abruptly at the infirmary and carefully set Jasper down.
"Treat your wounds here. You're lucky—no serious injuries. Stay in this room. No matter what happens."
"Wait! What is that thing!? Who are you!? Since when do teachers fight monsters?!", Jasper demanded, panic gripping him.
"Sorry, Jasper, this isn't the time," William replied, staring down the hallway.
The creature had found them again.
"Stay inside."
Without waiting for an answer, William slammed the infirmary door shut.
"Seriously… you're still moving after that hit?" William muttered, holding his broken bat like a sword.
"What a pain in the ass… and they don't even pay me overtime."
The XCP didn't find his humor amusing and lunged, its arm sharpened into a spear.
William slid underneath with ease and counterattacked—only for the monster to reshape its face, forming a massive mouth that bit down on the bat and shattered it instantly.
CRUNCH.
"Ah, shit… you're one of the smart ones," William cursed, stepping back.
The creature spat out the bat fragments, its face returning to a smooth, featureless mask.
"I see… you think I need the bat to fight you," William said, pulling something from his shirt pocket—a pair of glasses.
"You're wrong." He said confidently, bringing the glasses toward his eyes.
"Let's gi—"
But before he could put them on, a voice interrupted him.
"PROFESSOR WILLIAM!!!"
The shout echoed through the hallway. Michael came running toward them in terror.
"Michael, fall back!" William roared.
But the distraction was fatal.
The XCP attacked, slamming William into the ground with a brutal blow.
"Professor!!!"
Michael froze, watching in horror.
"What the hell are you doing here, Michael!?" William said, forcing himself to stand.
"I-I couldn't find Jasper! Candace said you had him!"
The creature didn't wait. It fired its arm forward, grabbing Michael by the legs and lifting him like a rag doll.
"NOOO!!! PROFESSOR, HELP!!!" Michael screamed, kicking helplessly in the air.
"Shit… seriously? A hostage!?" William cursed, searching for his glasses on the floor.
The XCP seized the opportunity, lifting Michael even higher, leaving him hanging upside down.
And then… it let go.
"FUCK!"
William ran, but it was a trap. The monster launched its spear-like arm once more, piercing straight through William's leg.
"ARGHHH!!"
The professor collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
"NO! NO! NO!"
Inside the infirmary, Jasper watched in horror.
His body screamed in pain, but his heart screamed even louder.
He reached out, guided by pure instinct… and his arm stretched.
"Just like the XCP in front of him."
In an unnatural, impossible way, it extended and caught Michael just before he slammed into the floor.
"Huh!? W-what the hell!?"
Jasper stared at his arm, unable to understand what was happening.
CRAAACK!
Before he could even process it, the ceiling above them exploded.
Six figures, dressed in white coats, descended from the sky like angels.
The central figure—a woman with short hair and a sharp gaze—stepped forward.
"Apologies for the delay, Agent 3887," she said, her voice cold as ice.
She pulled a tablet from her belt, scanned it quickly, and pointed at the creature.
"Team, we have two active anomalies. 6567, 8987, you're with me. Neutralize the faceless XCP."
Then her icy gaze shifted.
Her finger pointed at Jasper.
"The rest of you… secure him."