Malric Thorn was about to die.
The mutant rat was heavier than it looked. Its sharp claws dug painfully into his chest, pinning him against the wet pavement while its long, blade-like teeth snapped dangerously close to his throat. He could feel the creature's hot, foul breath washing over his face with every growl. The stench was revolting — a mix of rotten garbage, sewage, and pure malice.
This… is… so fucking unfair… Malric growled through gritted teeth, struggling between overwhelming fear and pure frustration.
The rat let out a piercing screech that echoed across the rainy street. A wave of horrible breath hit him again, so strong it made his eyes water. It smelled exactly like weeks-old trash left to decompose in the sun.
Do you seriously eat garbage? he muttered, even though he knew the creature couldn't understand him.
In his mind, S.I.M.I.O.'s calm, slightly amused voice responded instantly.
Scientific observation: Yes.
The rat pushed down harder, clearly enjoying the dominance. Malric strained with all his strength to shove it off, but his arms trembled uselessly. The monster was far stronger than its size suggested. Every second felt like it could be his last.
System, he gasped, trying to keep his voice steady. Any useful advice right now?
Yes.
What is it?
Die quickly.
Malric went silent for half a second.
…Thanks.
The rat opened its jaws wide, ready to deliver the finishing bite. Pure panic surged through Malric's body. He pushed desperately with both hands, but the creature barely moved. His back scraped against the rough ground as he struggled.
Suddenly, the familiar blue window appeared again, glowing brightly in the rain.
System reminder: Survival probability: 3%
Shut up! Malric snarled in frustration.
The rat lunged once more. Malric rolled desperately to the side, barely avoiding the bite. The creature crashed heavily onto the nearby park bench, which creaked and cracked under its weight. Malric scrambled to his feet, breathing hard, his heart hammering wildly in his chest.
Okay… okay… think, he told himself, trying to steady his racing mind.
The rat recovered quickly and screeched again, launching itself at him with terrifying speed. Malric stumbled backward — and his foot struck something solid. He looked down. It was the small cactus he had dropped earlier when the rain started.
No, he thought, shaking his head. Absolutely not. I am not fighting a monster with a damn cactus.
S.I.M.I.O. spoke immediately, almost eagerly.
Tactical option detected.
Malric stared at the plant. Its long, sharp spines glistened under the gray, rainy light.
No.
Confirmed. The user plans to die with dignity.
The rat jumped again. This time, driven by raw panic and zero better ideas, Malric snatched the cactus from the ground and thrust it forward like a desperate shield.
The rat bit straight into it without hesitation.
For one brief, surreal second, everything went silent.
Then the creature began to convulse violently. Its body twisted and jerked as dozens of sharp spines stabbed deep into its mouth and throat. The rat thrashed wildly, slamming into the broken bench, scraping against the pavement, and finally rolling toward the open sewer. After a few last desperate spasms, it went completely still.
Malric stood there in the rain, staring at the dead mutant rat in absolute disbelief.
Did I just… kill a monster with a cactus?
S.I.M.I.O. responded in its usual dry tone.
Confirmed. Extremely stupid strategy, yet surprisingly effective.
The blue window appeared in front of him, glowing with success.
MISSION COMPLETE Survive.
Malric raised both hands toward the sky, a shaky laugh of victory escaping his lips.
HA! I did it! I actually survived!
S.I.M.I.O. quickly added:
Technically you survived by pure accident.
Malric ignored the comment completely.
It still counts.
The window changed again.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED Gardener of Combat Condition: Kill an enemy using a plant. Reward: +5% damage against herbivorous creatures.
Malric stared at the reward, his brief moment of triumph fading fast.
That's… incredibly specific.
Correct. No one said your rewards would actually be useful.
Malric looked down at the rat's corpse, a strange mixture of relief, shock, and lingering fear on his face.
Well… at least it's finally over.
But the screen flickered once more with a new notification.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Malric sighed deeply, already sensing that his moment of peace was about to be ruined.
What now?
The text appeared slowly, almost dramatically.
Congratulations. You have eliminated the Leader of the Local Rat Colony.
Malric froze, his heart skipping a painful beat.
…The what?
S.I.M.I.O. replied with perfect calmness.
The leader. It was the alpha of the group.
Malric stared at the dead rat lying in a puddle, completely dumbfounded.
It was just a rat.
A very respected rat, the System corrected.
The window continued without pause.
Faction relationship updated Faction: Rats Status: Hostile Penalty: Charisma with rats -50
Malric stood in silence for several seconds, trying to process what he had just read.
…System?
Yes.
Why the hell does a rat faction even exist?
Because rats exist.
THAT ANSWERS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
At that exact moment, a low scratching sound came from inside the open sewer. Then another. And another. Soon the noise multiplied into dozens of tiny claws scraping against concrete.
Malric slowly turned his head toward the manhole cover. A growing wave of horror rose in his chest as dozens of small, glowing red eyes began appearing in the darkness — one after another.
Dozens of them.
The pigeon that had been watching nearby earlier suddenly took off in a panicked flutter, clearly wanting nothing to do with what was coming.
Oh no… Malric whispered, feeling cold dread spread through his body.
System…
Yes, Malric Thorn.
I think the rats are really not happy about this.
The blue window appeared once again.
New mission detected.
The text flashed clearly in front of his eyes.
RUN
Malric watched in growing terror as the first wave of rats began pouring out of the sewer. Then more came. And more. And more. Their angry squeaks filled the rainy street.
He took several slow steps backward, panic taking full control of his legs.
System.
Yes.
Quick question.
Go ahead.
How many rats are down there exactly?
The answer came cold, precise, and utterly terrifying.
Scan complete Estimated colony size: 312 rats
Malric's eyes widened in pure horror.
…RUN!
Without another thought, Malric Thorn turned and sprinted away from the park as fast as his legs could carry him, leaving behind the broken bench, the dead alpha rat, and whatever remained of his dignity. Behind him, the sound of hundreds of tiny claws and furious squeaks grew louder as 312 enraged rats chased after him through the pouring rain.
S.I.M.I.O. spoke with calm, almost cheerful amusement.
Observation: This is going to be very entertaining.