The All-Master of Cyberpunk-Chapter 12

Now I understood why this area, despite being close to a bustling area with a department store, was so eerily quiet.

"So you're the local boss."

It seemed to have claimed this entire area as its territory.

A mid-level beast-type mutant.

Though it was a level lower than the high-level flying mutant gargoyle I faced last time and lacked its menacing flight abilities, it had mutated to enhance the agility and flexibility of its base animal, the cat.

In an urban setting like this, the Hellcat's characteristics often made it more troublesome than a gargoyle.

Despite being classified as a mid-level mutant, its agility made it feel like a high-level mutant in the game.

“Hissssss!!!”

The Hellcat screeched again. Though the sound was similar to a cat's hissing, the intimidation from its roar was overwhelming. I brushed the goosebumps from my arm and pulled the trigger.

Bang, bang!

The Hellcat twisted its body fluidly and countered by whipping out its tentacles. It felt like steel rods from a construction site were falling towards me.

Fragments of asphalt shattered by its tentacles grazed my cheek, and the road surface heaved and rose.

At that strength, even a graze would cause serious injury.

Bang! Bang! Ping! Clang!

I didn't stop shooting.

The Hellcat, despite its agility, had sacrificed durability and regeneration. Unlike the gargoyle, which took no damage even when hit in a vital spot, even small-caliber bullets were effective against the Hellcat.

Of course, it didn't intend to stay on the roof forever. Dodging the incoming bullets, it leaped gracefully and landed in front of me.

“Hisssss!!!”

“Damn it…”

Up close, the Hellcat's appearance was even more grotesque. Its hairless, pale pink skin, and emaciated body made its organs and bones visible.

That alone was disgusting enough, but the eight tentacles sprouting from near its tailbone made it clear that this was no ordinary sick cat—it was a mutant, a monster capable of killing people.

The stench that assaulted my nose was a bonus.

I only had a moment to be repulsed before the Hellcat's tentacles flew at me again. This time, two at once.

As expected of a mutant with excellent hunting instincts in urban settings, it attacked from multiple angles to prevent any response.

For someone like me, who had hunted countless Hellcats in Seoul 2056, it wasn't surprising. In fact, it was a relief.

'The attack pattern is the same.'

Just like in the game. A stab from the upper left, followed by a sweep from the lower right.

I dodged into the open space on the right, evading its attack.

Though it seemed to move freely, the tentacles followed a definite pattern. Perhaps it was an instinct.

“Hisssss!!!”

Once I recognized the pattern, dodging the next attack was easy.

Two tentacles spiraled towards me. I accelerated and took cover behind a pillar on the first floor of the villa. The ear-piercing sound of the impact echoed, but the pillar remained intact.

No matter how strong the tentacles, they couldn't break through dense concrete blocks in one go.

Leaning out, I fired again, and red blood spurted from several of the tentacles hit by the bullets.

“Hisssss!!!”

A cry of pain. Click! While the Hellcat was distracted, I quickly swapped magazines and fired at the remaining tentacles.

The continuous gunfire echoed through the villa complex.

Finally, overwhelmed by my attack, the Hellcat began to retreat.

If it backed off so easily, it probably hadn't faced many formidable opponents until now.

Since it chose to retreat, it was my turn to switch to offense.

I rolled towards a sedan abandoned in the villa's parking lot. The Hellcat's attack missed as it tried to catch me leaving the concrete.

Two more shots. Bang, bang! Ping!

“Hisssss!”

Though I missed, the Hellcat was clearly startled and flinched.

In that moment of hesitation, I seized the opportunity. With its tentacles off-target, now was the perfect time.

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I closed the distance rapidly. My heart pounded in my ears, and my vision narrowed.

I tossed my gun aside and clenched my fist tightly.

In close combat, a gun is less effective. That's why melee-tech bodies were developed in the world of Seoul 2056.

Against mutants, it's more effective to strike with a heavy metal fist than to fiddle with a gun trigger.

Even if there was resistance to physical force, overwhelming it with greater force would work.

“Haah!”

“Hisss!”

Shockwave. Simple yet powerful. It was the ability that elevated Kim Sang-yeop to the rank of a B-grade Hunter.

I threw a punch at the Hellcat. Though it seemed to hit only air, the ability within me created a powerful shockwave that shook the entire area.

Boom!

The compressed air burst with a thunderous sound. The Hellcat's tentacles, which could pierce asphalt, dropped to the ground like limp seaweed.

“Hisssss!!!”

I missed. Its agility made it unlike any other mutant.

But I didn't stop. Again, combat is about momentum.

Moreover, the Hellcat's movements had slowed noticeably. It was clearly injured.

Its expression showed a mix of confusion and panic. Did it finally realize it was completely outmatched?

Even if it did, it wouldn't change anything.

“This is the end.”

I swung my fist again. One, two. Putting power into my waist and heels, I struck the air.

Two shockwaves burst out like explosions, hitting the Hellcat.

Crunch!

It died without even a scream. With a sound of bones breaking, the Hellcat's body was crushed against the asphalt.

It was the end of the monster that had ruled the villa complex.

I dusted off my hands and retrieved the gun I had thrown. My shirt, drenched in sweat, clung to my back.

Of all things, it had to be a Hellcat.

With my current lack of equipment, it was a tough opponent. If not for the abilities I absorbed from Kim Sang-yeop, I would have barely managed to escape.

Ironically, the extra who left so coldly had unintentionally provided significant help.

“Thanks for that.”

I expressed my gratitude to the now-deceased Kim Sang-yeop and approached the Hellcat's corpse.

As a dominant mutant in this area, its soul stone would surely be of high purity.

It might even fetch a higher price than the gargoyle.

True to expectations, the Hellcat's soul stone shone with a brilliant green hue. The darker the color, the higher the purity, meaning it was worth at least ten million won.

'What? Hahaha! This is it! Taking down both the gargoyle and the Hellcat solo! Nice job, Do-jin!'

I could already hear the guild master's voice in my head.

“First, I need to complete my task. No point in hanging around after all that gunfire.”

There was no time to relax. The loud gunfire might have attracted nearby mutants.

Even if not mutants, it's best to be wary of any humans wandering inside the Yellow Zone.

Unless visiting Liberation Village directly, it's best to consider everyone a competitor.

I quickly pocketed the glowing soul stone and entered the villa, my original destination.

Goo-yeong Villa, Room 204.

I tore off the locked door with a shockwave and entered the chaotic interior. Broken dishes and clothes left behind lay scattered.

The 24-square-meter space vividly depicted the chaos that engulfed the world during the 'Great Chaos.'

'Sad.'

Suppressing a heavy heart, I picked up the family album left in the master bedroom.

Delivering just one photo felt insufficient, so I decided to take the entire album.

“Oh, right. The Hellcat's nest should be on the roof of this villa.”

With the task done and ready to leave, I remembered something.

Mutants like the Hellcat, who had claimed a territory, often had nests.

It might have offspring, so it's worth checking.

No point leaving potential dangers behind. Ignoring it just because it's annoying wasn't an option.

Reaching the villa's roof, I found no Hellcat offspring. Instead, there was something black and shiny under the sunlight.

“…What's this?”

An Impact Gauntlet.

A piece of heavy equipment that generates a small force field, allowing it to lift huge concrete blocks effortlessly.

It was known among Seoul 2056 players as a melee weapon for easy kills.

I couldn't help but pick it up, mesmerized.

“Why is this here?”

And in brand-new condition, no less.