Chapter 5 Wonders of the New Yorkers

As Shit Stirrer locked gazes with Apex, the throbbing veins in his hand subsided, surging with fury.

"Hey there, do you happen to be a fellow human?" Apex inquired with the inquisitiveness of a playful Tobi, elegantly descending from the ceiling. However, as soon as the other individual heard Apex's remark, a visible anger consumed him.

In an instant, sinewy tendrils surged forth from beneath Shit Stirrer's feet, propelling him like a coiled spring, hurtling towards Apex.

Shit Stirrer, displaying his ruthless nature, lunged directly for Apex's neck. However, like opposing magnets, Apex narrowly evaded Shit Stirrer's grasp.

While any ordinary individual would have swiftly retaliated after such a lethal maneuver, Apex maintained a playful demeanor, deftly evading each strike like a slippery loach.

Apex continued to elude Shit Stirrer's relentless onslaught, skillfully evading hundreds of attacks without a single one finding its mark. Sensing the futility of his efforts, Shit Stirrer begrudgingly retreated to a corner, his eyes narrowing with intensity.

Just as Apex thought the ordeal had come to an end, Shit Stirrer brandished a formidable, substantial firearm, firmly clutching it in his left hand and aiming it directly at Apex. The instant Shit Stirrer pulled the trigger, even his mutated, vein-covered hand quivered from the force of the recoil.

However, Apex's capabilities were not to be underestimated. With precise calculation of the firearm's angle and perfect timing, Apex effortlessly evaded the speeding bullet just moments before it was discharged. Remarkably, even after a barrage of seven consecutive bullets, Apex remained unscathed, unharmed by a single one.

Witnessing the gun's inefficacy in eliminating the target, Shit Stirrer shifted his strategy. Once again, fleshy tendrils slithered beneath his feet, propelling him towards Apex with renewed vigor. However, this time, there was a distinct change in his approach.

Closing in on Apex, Shit Stirrer swiftly flicked his wrist, discharging a point-blank shot. Aware of Apex's elusive nature, Shit Stirrer resorted to shooting through his own right arm, concealing his angle of attack. The impact sent Apex hurtling backward, colliding with the wall with a resonant thud. However, the assailant himself fared no better in this exchange.

Previously, Shit Stirrer had maintained a stable center of balance, effectively managing the recoil. But this time, as he attempted a tricky shot and injured his right arm, the recoil became more challenging to handle. Yet, it seemed that such injuries held little significance to Apex, as with a sudden jolt, all bleeding ceased.

Just as Shit Stirrer believed he had finally rid himself of this persistent nuisance, he noticed subtle movements amidst the wreckage where Apex had previously fallen. Gradually, Apex rose from the debris and locked eyes with Shit Stirrer.

Engulfed in flames, Apex's cloak burned relentlessly, and the bullet impact beneath his jaw had shattered his mask. Now, Shit Stirrer was confronted with Apex's unmasked, authentic visage, exposed before his very eyes.

The sleek metallic frame glistened under the flickering light of the raging wildfire, while the piercing purple eyes exuded an air of malevolence, erasing any trace of Apex's once playful demeanor.

Justin, who observed the unfolding events through Apex's broadcast, began to formulate a hypothesis regarding the uncanny familiarity he felt towards this individual. More accurately, it was his power that struck a chord of recognition within him.

The seamless integration of biomass, transforming the body into a well-oiled machinery; who else could rival Alex Mercer from the Prototype game in such mastery? Yet, it was evident that this individual was not Alex Mercer, nor did they belong to the Prototype game universe. So, what was their story?

The manipulation of biomass and the sprinting ability triggered vivid memories of playing the game. However, it was clear that this person was currently operating at only a fraction of their true potential, akin to an unlocked character at a mere 10%.

"Apex, hinder his mobility and confine him, then bring him to me," Justin ordered. After a moment of consideration, he instructed Apex, "Engage Assassin Protocol."

As soon as Justin's command reached Apex's ears, a surge of intense red light flickered within his piercing purple eyes, mirroring the flames engulfing his surroundings. Simultaneously, his body trembled, the metallic frame contracting like a tightly coiled spring. Releasing the compression, Apex instantaneously materialized behind his target, his razor-sharp graphite blades effortlessly severing both of the victim's arms without encountering any resistance.

From the moment Apex appeared behind his prey and amputated his limbs, the victim displayed complete obliviousness, a testament to Apex's staggering speed and reflexes.

In a swift motion, Apex swiftly severed all four limbs of Shit Stirrer before he could even react, forcefully kicking their torso aside.

However, Apex had underestimated the tenacity of Shit Stirrer's body. As soon as the severed limbs were detached, resilient tendrils sprang into action, attempting to reattach themselves to the torso.

Apex relentlessly sliced through the tendrils, attempting to prevent their reunion, but his efforts proved futile. Shit Stirrer's frustration grew to an alarming degree, disregarding his appearance as a sharp tendril erupted from the cavity where his tongue should have resided.

Yet, Apex had foreseen such an assault and swiftly dispatched the tongue-like tendril, deftly slicing it into dozens of pieces within moments.

Witnessing the relentless resilience of his adversary, Apex swiftly decapitated Shit Stirrer and hastily made his way towards the roof, carrying the severed head in tow.

As Apex fled with the head, the body of Shit Stirrer descended into a frenzied state. Countless tendrils sprouted and systematically combed through the surroundings, disregarding the scorching heat and engulfing flames, solely focused on locating the missing piece.

For the first time in their lives, the people of New York witnessed an inexplicable phenomenon as tendrils burst forth from windows, yet they remained oblivious to the impending danger, failing to comprehend the threat that loomed before them.

However, before the tendrils could approach the onlookers surrounding the inferno-engulfed apartment, the entire structure collapsed like a fragile house of cards, swept away by a forceful gust of wind.

However, this marked not the culmination, but rather the inception of a new menace that would plague New York in the days to come.

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