My name is Leo Medric. I was eight years old, when I lost both of my parents in a monster attack. Since that day, I promised myself to join the defense force so that nobody can experience what i passed through.
I know what you're thinking_"Monsters?Really?"
Yeah, really. We call them V.E.N.O.M. (Viral Evolved Non-Organic Mutants), but if you're lazy like me just "monsters." Humans were basically on the fast tract to extinction until a legend Joseph Arctinbale found a pulsing rock called Neuralite.
With some high-level bullshit science, we learned a way to enhance our body to 120% of their potential.That was the birth of Protocol 66, and the first time humans actually started winning.
Fast forward to today. I was walking home from another failed job hunt, my stomach growling and my pockets empty. I reached my street in queens, fumbling for my keys, when I heard it.
BOOM!.
A massive shockwave slammed me into a parked car, the wind rushing out of my lungs in a violent heave. Through the choking dust, a massive, insect-like nightmare erupted from the subway grates. Its madibles clicked with a sound like grinding bones, dripping acidic bile that hissed against the pavement.
"oh, come on!" I coughed, tasting copper "i just got back! Do i have to deal with this shit now? Where are those stupid Power Ranger wanabes when you actually need the?
A ringing alarm drowned out all the noise that was happening: "Citizens, please evacure to sector 3B immediately. IMMEDIATE LETHAL THREAT DETECTED."
"Which one is 3B?!" I screamed at the sky. "The streets all look the same when they're exploding!"
I scrambled to my feet, but a weak cry stopped me. A little girl was pinned under a slab of concrete, her eyes wide with terror I knew to well. The monster turned its head, its dozens of black eyes locking into her.
My conscience screamed louder than the sirens. I ran. I reached her just as the monster's shadow fell over us. I grabbed the slab, my muscles screaming and my teeth gritting until until they felt like they'd shatter. with a roar of pure desperation, I heaved it off her.
"where are your parents, kid?"
"Momma said... go to sector 3B" she sobbed
If her parents were in the safe zone, she'd be safe there. I pointer her toward the fleeing crowd. "Run!, don't look back, follow where everyone is going."
She scrambled away, disappearing into the stampede. I turned around and my heart stopped.
The abomination was towering over me, its multi-hinged jaw opening to reveal rows of needle-teeth. The smell was enough to kill rotting meat and sulfur. I knew i couldn't out run it. I was just one guy in a torn shirt with no suit and no power.
"So, you're not paying attention to anyone but me, you slimy bastard?" I spat. I probably made it angry, I saw the creature's muscle coil. It was going to be fast.
The monster lunged. Time semed to slow down to a crawl. I felt the heath of its breath. i closed my eyes and whispered, "Mom, Dad... gues I'm coming home early."
BOOM!
A shockwave of air blasted past my face. Something faster than a bullet slammed into the creature. I opened one eye. Standing where the monster used to be were four individuals in skin-tight black suit with glowing green patterns.
Division 5, of the Protocol 66 squad unit.
"citizen rescued" one of them said into his comms. "Threat level C+ Rank. Delvin, he's all yours."
"With pleasure" a guy replied.
An A.I. voice echoed from his suit: [OPTIMIZING BODY CAPACITY...20%...45%...60%... POTENTIAL REACHED: 75%]
With a massive leap, the guy reached the insect monster in a second. He pulled his arm back and_
BANG!
One punch. That was all it took. The monster's body disintegrated into hundreds of pieces.
I stood there, awestruck. No matter how man times I saw the Defense force on TV, seeing it in person was insane. The crowd behind me started clapping and cheering. I almost joined them, still shaking from my first near-death experience.
Then reality struck.
A massive, dripping piece of the dead monster_launched by that 75% punch_ sailed through the air and landed right on a specific brownstone building.
The roof caved in.The walls crumbled. A bed,clothes and someone's microwave were gone in a cloud of purple guts and dust.
The cheers died down as I stared at the wreckage<
"MY FUCKING HOUSE! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"