Predator (3)

Schwartz and Zhai came running back after hearing the disturbance. The two's expressions crumpled upon seeing the researcher's corpse.

"It seems to be playing around with us."

"The enemy plays around with his prey before going for the kill. There should be many survivors around the building. Herald, did you see it?"

"No, it escaped. It's very fast." Private Herald said.

The squad treaded into the direction the enemy escaped, but they couldn't find a single trace of it remaining.

"Why don't we try going this direction?" Han advised.  

The squad focused toward where Han pointed. After some time, Han was able to get a hold of himself and looked to the corpse with a matter of factly expression. He pointed to a passage which directly connects the second lower level and ground floor.

"It's a dead end there. The researchers broke the walls here as they escaped. We only have the elevator on the first floor to leave this place.

"I have something I wish to confirm. Something is strange… in this place…"

He wanted to decipher the real truth of this place. Even if they were to find the missing piece of the puzzle, they would not be able to see the big picture. They required more data.

"Explain on the way. Squad, move out."

Han couldn't help but feel that this place was strange. He couldn't exactly pinpoint the reason why, but as he rested while staring at the numerous corpses in this area, he began to understand why he thought so.

'This was a surprise attack from an outside force?'

If the Elu had attacked from the outside in, then it must have gone through the first level. However, the first level of the building was perfectly clean without a single corpse.

The only remnants of the place was of the chaos the researchers caused while escaping the building. The remnants of murder could only be found starting from the second level. 

'If it had indeed been a surprise attack from outside, it would have invaded from the entrance  connecting the ground floor directly down to the second lower floor.'

Squad Victor arrived to the doorway of the underground second level. The entrance had collapsed and made it impossible for anyone to pass through.

It would take at least a month to clear all the rubble to escape through this path. The entrance was crumbled, but it was still too clean for it to be considered the initial surprise attack location. 

There was not a single evidence of battle here. He couldn't find a single drop of blood or bullet shell. 

"Had it truly been a surprise attack from outside?" Han asked. Schwartz furrowed his brows.

"I understand. Chan." Schwartz and the squad could finally figure out the oddness of the situation here. The researchers had lied to them. This wasn't a surprise attack from the outside, something from the inside was trying to escape.

'Why was it that only the third level didn't directly connect to the ground floor? The third level must have been a restricted zone.' Schwartz decided they must turn back. There were inconsistencies in their military operation. The researchers had purposely given them incorrect data.

There was no reason for Ark to continue this military operation any longer. Rather, they will be interrogating them.

"We're leaving," as soon as Schwartz spoke, all the lights of the research center's building turned off one by one. The fan attached to the air vent stopped spinning.

"… How did it know? We have our communication devices turned off."

It seemed to have heard their conversation and cut off all the electricity. Han suddenly noticed something and took off his upper gear.

He found a miniature wiretap device on his shirt. The researchers had attached it when they patted his shoulder. The researchers approached Han for this single purpose. 

"Transfer the communication system to the satellite instead. Herald." Schwartz said. Herald took out his communication device and attempted to connect to the outside, but only static could be heard.

They've even blocked out communication from the outside. Herald shook his head. Schwartz calmly took out a flashlight and looked at their map once again.

"Should we descend down to level three?"

Now that all source of electricity and communication was cut off, the only path forward out of this place was to go down to the emergency power room down in level 3. 

Kukuku!" 

The squad began shooting in all directions. They took turns to light the way with the flash light. The sound of laughter drew further and further away.

"It's watching us. It's not a normal Elu." It was also Schwartz's first time fighting against such an Elu. However, it was definitely an Elu due to its signature laughter. 

'Mages don't take these types of risks. It must be a hunter or warrior type. Otherwise… it could also be a knight?' Ark put Elus into four categories. Each Elu differed quite vastly from one another, however they could usually fit into one of four categories.

Squad Victor took caution as they continued forward. 

From time to time, it would let its laughter echo across the corridor. A space which has been blockaded, an enemy who remained hidden, and the thick smell of rotting human blood. Usual soldiers would become mentally broken by this time, but the eyes of the squad held clarity and strength.

"It's been closed off."

The steel door which led to the lower third level was tightly locked shut. This was made to be an automatic door, but they had to open it manually.

Wooong!

Schwartz's eyes glowed with blue light. He forced the small crack of the door to split open, his muscles bulked to the point that his battle gear became rigid. He gritted his teeth as he forced the door to open.

Badududuk!

The steel door bent and soon, there was an opening large enough for an adult to easily pass through. Schwartz unique skill was physical strength reinforcement. Once his skill is activated, his normal strength will exponentially grow inhumanly strong. 

Guuooo!

At the end of the third floor corridor, a set of red eyes glowed through the darkness. Han aimed his flashlight toward the red light.