Chapter 5: Level up
Nox stood at the entrance to the cafeteria and took in the chaos. Tables were flipped everywhere, chairs scattered like someone had thrown a tantrum.
There were at least a dozen of those dog creatures prowling around, sniffing at overturned lunch trays and the occasional backpack. A few students were huddled behind the serving counter, looking like they were about to piss themselves.
Perfect. More targets.
He heard Ava's footsteps behind him, getting closer. She was breathing hard and sounded exhausted.
"Sheesh, how are you so damn fast when you look like that," she said between gasps, leaning against the wall next to him.
He turned to look at her. She jumped back like he had slapped her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it in that way," she said quickly, holding up her hands.
He didn't bother responding. What was the point? She meant exactly what she said. Everyone always did. They saw his skinny frame and ratty clothes and assumed he was weak. Well, that assumption was about to cost these monsters their lives.
He sprinted into the cafeteria without warning. The closest dog looked up from whatever it was chewing on and started to growl. Nox reached it before it could even finish the sound and drove his fist straight into its skull.
The impact sent the creature flying backward into a stack of chairs with enough force to snap the metal legs.
Another one came at him from the left. He caught it mid-leap and slammed it down onto a table so hard that the table collapsed underneath it. The creature didn't get back up.