Chapter 4: The Mysterious Savior

Beast Stages

- Stage 1: Primitive (includes the mutated cat and similar creatures)

- Stage 2: Feral

- Stage 3: Vicious

- Stage 4: Brutal

- Stage 5: Apex

Human Stages

- Baron

- Viscount

- Count 

- Earl 

- Marquess 

- Duke 

- King 

1. Baroness

2. Viscountess

3. Countess

4. Earless

5. Marchioness

6. Duchess

7. Queen

Andy's inventory is now:

- Iron pipe (as a makeshift weapon)

- Bottle of water

- Small flashlight (with extra batteries)

Max's inventory:

- Iron pipe (as a makeshift weapon)

- Bottled water

Nova:

- Sharp teeth and claws

- Enhanced senses (smell, hearing, sight)

- Increased strength and agility

- Radiation resistance (due to her mutation)

- Special ability (e.g., emitting a powerful bark that stuns enemies or has a concussive effect)

Andy, Max, and Nova ventured into the irradiated badlands, seeking to hunt primitive beasts to avenge Sophia's death and to also accumulate bounty points for survival.

Andy, Max, and Nova were walking together, unaware of the danger lurking beneath their feet. Suddenly, a Goremaw, a mutated primitive worm, burst out of the ground, its tail swiping at Max and Nova. Caught off guard, they stumbled backward, unprepared for the attack.

But Andy, ever vigilant, reacted swiftly. He swiftly retrieved his iron pipe from his inventory and swung it at the Goremaw, striking it with a loud clang. The creature recoiled, giving Max and Nova a chance to scramble to safety.

"Thanks, Andy!" Max exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise.

Andy stood firm, pipe at the ready, as the Goremaw began to circle around for another attack.

Max, still catching his breath, nodded towards Andy's pipe. "I guess that Jujutsu training really paid off for you, huh?" he said with a mix of admiration and gratitude.

Andy's expression turned stern, his focus still on the Goremaw. "We're not out of this yet. Let's take care of this thing first, then you can learn some moves yourself."

Nova, sensing their tension, let out a low growl, her eyes fixed on the Goremaw. The creature, enraged by Andy's earlier attack, began to charge towards them once more...

The Goremaw lunged at Andy with its burrowing snout, but he dodged swiftly to the side, avoiding the attack by mere inches. As the creature's body slithered past him, Andy struck back with his pipe, aiming for its exposed underside.

The pipe crashed down, striking true, and the Goremaw let out a deafening screech as it writhed in pain. Nova joined the fray, sinking her teeth into the creature's tail, her growls fierce and unrelenting.

But the Goremaw's body suddenly coiled around Nova, constricting her with its powerful muscles. Nova yelped in pain as the Goremaw's grip tightened, her fur matted with dirt and blood.

Max's eyes widened in horror as Nova struggled to free herself. "Nova, no!" he cried out, charging forward with his pipe to strike the Goremaw and force it to release his dog.

Andy joined the effort, striking the Goremaw with precision blows, trying to weaken its grip on Nova. The creature's body thrashed about, but Max and Andy persisted, determined to save Nova from its deadly embrace...

Andy stood firm, his pipe raised, as the Goremaw thrashed about. He aimed for the creature's stomach, the softest part of its armored body. With precision and force, he struck the Goremaw's belly again and again, each blow landing with a loud thud.

The creature screeched in agony, its body convulsing from the repeated attacks. Max and Nova watched in awe as Andy's strategy paid off, the Goremaw's defenses weakening with each strike.

Finally, with one final swing, Andy aimed for the Goremaw's head, striking it with all his might. The pipe crashed down, crushing the creature's skull and ending its reign of terror once and for all.

The Goremaw's body slumped to the ground, motionless. Andy stood panting, his pipe still raised, as Max and Nova approached him. "Nice work, Andy," Max said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Andy nodded, his expression grimy with sweat and dirt. "We make a good team," he said, his eyes locked on Nova, who was limping but alive.

Together, the trio caught their breath, their bond stronger than ever. They knew that in this dangerous new world, they could face any threat as long as they had each other.

Suddenly a message popped on their system 

- Andy: Level - Baron

- Primitive: 35/100

- Feral: 0/100

- Vicious: 0/100

- Brutal: 0/100

- Apex: 0/100

- Max: Level - Baron

- Primitive: 20/100

- Feral: 0/100

- Vicious: 0/100

- Brutal: 0/100

- Apex: 0/100

- Nova: Primitive (beast)

'So we can level up.' Max said, 'we should kick more arse then.' He continued. 

They fought against two more primitive beasts, each battle pushing their skills to the limit.

As they delved deeper into the ruins of the once bustling city, a Feral mutated cat, who now looked like a lion, stood in their way. 

The trio knew they were no match for it, and retreated to avoid a suicidal battle.

But the level 2 beast had already detected them. It began to stalk them, its energy reading growing stronger with every step.

The trio knew they had to escape, fast. They ran as quickly as they could, their hearts pounding in their chests.

Just when they thought all was lost, a sleek black vehicle appeared in the distance, speeding towards them.

The trio prayed that it was coming to rescue them, and not to finish them off.

As the vehicle drew closer, they saw a girl with short, spiky hair and a cold face

She leapt out of the vehicle, with a dual katana sword that radiated purple energy, and slashed towards the cat. The trio were stunned, but the girl's voice pulled them out.

"Get in, I'll cover you!" she shouted. Andy, Max, and Nova didn't hesitate.

They jumped into the vehicle, and the girl took care of the rest. She fought off the level 2 beast with ease, her weapon and skills far surpassing theirs.

As they drove away from the ruins, the trio asked their savior about her identity and her incredible skills. But they got no reply from her, her face as cold as ever. But Andy was not ready to give up.

"My name is Aria," she said. After saying her name, she didn't speak to them again, no matter how many questions were thrown at her.

After calming down, they began to reminisce about what just happened, the apocalypse, and all that which was still hard to believe. Andy couldn't help but get emotional after he remembered Sophia's death, which was really tragic.

Clenching his fist, he vowed to get revenge.

"Everything is gone, everyone is gone." Max said, while looking out through the window at the once bustling city, now a dead zone.