Chapter 25

Sam grips his sword tightly as the Remnants lunge towards him, their claws extended. One Remnant swipes at him with its razor-sharp talons, but Sam quickly deflects the attack with his blade. The Remnant's claws scrape against the steel, and Sam retaliates with a powerful slash, slicing deep into the creature's flesh.

The Remnant howls in pain, black blood oozing from the gaping wound. Sam doesn't hesitate, following up with a series of precise strikes that tear the Remnant apart. The creature's body crumples to the ground, twitching and convulsing.

Sensing movement from the corner of his eye, Sam whirls around to face the other Remnants. To his surprise, they have drawn firearms, their hands steady despite their monstrous forms.

Focusing his mana, Sam summons a shield of shadows, the inky tendrils swirling and coalescing in front of him. The Remnants open fire, their bullets pinging against the shadowy barrier. Sam holds his ground, his concentration unwavering as he maintains the shield.

Waiting for an opening, Sam takes a deep breath and then lashes out with his pistol, firing a rapid series of shots. The Remnants' bodies jerk as the bullets find their marks, black blood spattering the walls. One by one, the Remnants collapse, their transformation reversing as life leaves their bodies.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Sam turns his attention to the spiral staircase, where he last saw Massino fleeing. He rushes forward, his footsteps echoing in the now-silent lobby.

As Sam ascends the stairs, he senses movement above him. More Remnants materialize, their forms blocking his path. Sam grits his teeth, knowing he can't afford to be delayed.

Channeling his mana, Sam summons a swirling vortex of shadows, the inky tendrils lashing out and ensnaring the Remnants. He then follows up with a barrage of gunfire, each shot finding its mark with deadly precision.

The Remnants thrash and scream, their bodies contorting as they succumb to Sam's relentless assault. He pushes forward, his eyes fixed on the staircase ahead, determined to catch up to Massino.

With each floor he climbs, more Remnants appear, but Sam refuses to be deterred. He fights his way through them, his sword and gun working in perfect harmony as he carves a path towards his target.

The sound of his footsteps and the echoes of the battle reverberate through the hotel, creating a sense of urgency and chaos. Sam knows he can't afford to let Massino slip away, not when he's so close to his objective.

As he reaches the top of the stairs, Sam pauses, his senses on high alert. He scans the area, searching for any sign of Massino, his grip tightening on his weapon.

Sam steps into the dimly lit room, his senses on high alert. A flicker of movement catches his eye, and he gasps as he sees Massino standing before him, his right hand now adorned with large, menacing claws.

"Tch, missed huh?" Massino growls, his voice dripping with disdain.

Sam narrows his eyes, his grip tightening on his weapon. "This is where you die," he declares, his voice firm and resolute.

Massino lets out a low, guttural laugh. "I don't think so," he snarls, his body suddenly transforming before Sam's eyes.

The change is swift and horrifying. Massino's form swells, his muscles bulging as his body contorts and twists. Bones protrude from his skin, sharp and jagged, and a second pair of arms erupts from his sides. The creature that stands before Sam is no longer human, but a grotesque, seven-foot-tall Remnant, its sunken eyes glaring with malice.

Sam grits his teeth as Massino's monstrous form looms over him. The creature's guttural roar sends a shiver down his spine, but he refuses to back down.

"This is where you die, Hunter!" Massino bellows, his massive claws swiping towards Sam.

Sam ducks and rolls to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. He counters with a barrage of gunfire, but the bullets seem to have little effect on the towering Remnant.

Massino laughs, his distorted features twisting into a malevolent grin. "You think your pathetic weapons can stop me?" he taunts, swinging his claws again.

Sam leaps back, his heart pounding in his chest. He can feel the power radiating from Massino, and he knows he's outmatched. But he refuses to give up, not when he's come this far.

Summoning his remaining strength, Sam charges forward, his sword glinting in the dim light. He aims for Massino's vulnerable spots, slashing and stabbing with all his might.

The Remnant howls in pain, but its massive size and strength prove to be too much for Sam. Massino's claws lash out, catching Sam off guard, and he feels a searing pain as the razor-sharp talons tear into his flesh.

Sam cries out, his sword clattering to the ground as he collapses, his vision blurring. Massino looms over him, his breath hot and foul.

"I told you, Hunter," the Remnant hisses, "this is where you die."

Sam gritted his teeth, refusing to let Massino's taunts break his resolve. As the Remnant's massive claws swiped towards him, Sam summoned a swirling vortex of inky shadows. With a surge of mana, he directed the tendrils to shatter the ceiling above.

"Argh!" Massino roared as debris and pipes rained down on him, his attention momentarily diverted. Seizing the opportunity, Sam retrieved a grenade, primed it, and threw it with all his might.

The grenade detonated, the blast shaking the hotel. Sam leapt through the nearest window, glass slicing his skin as he plummeted.

Sam summoned shadows, enveloping himself. He crashed through the foliage, rolling to his feet. He glanced back at the hotel, now in smoke and flames.

Massino's howls echoed. Sam allowed a grim smile.

Sam takes off the headset and exits the simulation. He sits back in his chair, his heart still pounding from the intense battle. Despite the harrowing experience, Sam can't help but feel a sense of exhilaration.

The level of detail and immersion in Caliban's creation is truly impressive.

Sam hopes that one day, he'll have the chance to meet Caliban in person.

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Advance chapters in my P@|r$0n/Najicablitz