Ex-Human Morphus [A Mutant Evolution Apocalypse LitRPG]

Chapter 419

The anomaly immediately began to change. It gradually shrank in on itself, and the air distortion within the sphere intensified, becoming more noticeable.

Jake could also tell that the hum emanating from the phenomenon was steadily growing stronger. Moreover, the atmosphere around the atrium tingled, sharp and charged, as if the very air had been electrolyzed and infused with raw static.

From experience, Jake knew that these last two effects were telltale signs of magic at work. The more powerful the magic, the more perceptible its effects. Whatever force fueled the anomaly was building toward something, gathering magical energy like a coiled spring.

Jake didn’t step back, patiently waiting. If his instincts were right, this was merely the buildup to the summoning of an elite mutant. And when it appeared, he would be ready.

Barely able to perceive the anomaly, Ragnar at first didn’t notice any changes taking place within it. He was still saying something to Jake, but he paid no attention to the human.

Finally, realizing his companion was completely ignoring him and, for some reason, staring fixedly at the space above the fountain, Ragnar fell silent and shifted his gaze there as well. He frowned, uncertain why Jake’s eyes were locked on the spot, given there seemed to be nothing of interest.

But as the anomaly continued to fill with raw magical energy, the low hum in the air deepened into a resonant vibration, and faint sparks seemed to prickle through the atmosphere, Ragnar couldn’t help but notice those happenings. The effects undeniable now, his puzzlement gave way to worry.

“What the hell?” he muttered, staring up at the anomaly hovering above the dry fountain. “Something’s happening, Mark. Something’s going on with the anomaly!” He squinted, gazing into the Electro with intense focus.

A moment later, his eyes widened in surprise as he finally spotted the change. “Mark! The anomaly’s shrinking! Do you see it? It’s getting smaller, and it’s… It’s charging with energy. Oh no… I think it’s going to explode!”

The human had misinterpreted what was truly happening with the anomaly.

“We gotta run!” the guy cried out in desperation.

But, of course, the Electro wasn’t going to explode. Having realized Jake wasn’t going to move from his spot, Ragnar chose to save his own life.

However, just as he turned away from the anomaly and was about to sprint away from the atrium, the Electro suddenly expanded, unleashing a powerful wave of air in every direction.

The impact rolled over Jake, but he planted his feet firmly, maintaining a stable and balanced stance. Ragnar wasn’t so fortunate, however. The blast caught him full on, hurling him sideways. He crashed to the floor with a resounding thud, the pain forcing a sharp cry from his throat.

At the same moment the anomaly returned to its normal size, releasing a wave of air, it also conjured a large creature, making it appear as though the anomaly had ejected it from within. Its broad, transparent wings shimmered faintly as it streaked overhead, slicing through the air directly over the fallen human who had just looked up to see it dart above him.

The sight of the bizarre being made him gasp in surprise. He sprang upright, gaze locked on the creature’s darting flight.

“What the hell is that? Where did it come from?” he demanded aloud, unaware that he had missed the exact moment the anomaly birthed the monster.

Jake’s gaze locked onto the winged monster as it circled gracefully beneath the ceiling of the mall, weaving through the air in wide, sweeping arcs. Its wings moved so fast they became a blur. For a time, it stayed in constant motion over the atrium, making it impossible for him to make out details, but then it abruptly halted, hovering perfectly still right above the anomaly.

Now Jake could study it in full detail. It resembled a hybrid between a grown human and an insect reminiscent of an ant, matching the size of the former. Its body was encased in armor-like chitin plates. Its fingers ended in razor-sharp talons, and its head bore large, multifaceted eyes and curved, sharp mandibles.

He also noticed it had four dragonfly-like wings, wide and multicolored, creating a mesmerizing display as they whirred in the air. Seizing the moment, Jake summoned the creature’s description. Like most elite mutants he had encountered in the past, it possessed three special abilities.

Name: Myrmex (Elite)

Level: 165

Special Abilities:

1. Resonant Devastation: The Myrmex emits a piercing sonic boom that ripples through the air like a powerful shockwave. The sound can shatter brittle structures within forty paces, rupture eardrums, and disorient enemies by overwhelming their sense of balance. Those located within ten paces of the source may suffer far more severe effects, including temporary blindness from the intense vibration of the optic nerves, internal organ trauma, and, in extreme cases, unconsciousness or death.
2. Swarmcall: The Myrmex emits a resonating call, summoning its devoted swarm. Instantly, loyal drones flood toward their master’s enemies, striking with venomous stingers and tearing at flesh with serrated mandibles. While individual drones are relatively weak, their sheer numbers create a formidable threat. Their stings can inflict severe damage on opponents lacking adequate protection.
3. Chitin Mirage: The Myrmex’s iridescent wings can emit a bright, shimmering light, scattering particles of fine sparkling dust into the air. This dust bends and refracts light, turning the creature invisible while creating several phantom copies of the beast. These illusions are so real that enemies struggle to distinguish the real creature from the duplicates, each moving through the air in perfect synchronization with the original. When a copy of the Myrmex is destroyed, it vanishes in a burst of brilliant light, temporarily incapacitating nearby opponents.

Jake’s instincts screamed for him to unleash his monstrous form, but with Ragnar still standing nearby, dropping his human disguise was out of the question.

He shot the human a sharp glance and barked, “Get out of here!”

Ragnar smirked, leveling his assault rifle at the beast. “And miss all the fun?”

“This thing’s too powerful,” Jake warned.

“It doesn’t look like much,” Ragnar replied coolly. Unlike Jake, he couldn’t summon the mutant’s stats with a simple thought. He needed to scan it with his PDA, which meant he still didn’t know what this mutant was capable of.

“I’ve fought one of these before,” Jake lied through clenched teeth. “Trust me, it’s far deadlier than it looks. You should leave while you still can.”

Ragnar’s gaze narrowed. “What about you?”

“I’ll stay and deal with the monster. I know what to expect from it, thanks to my previous encounter with a similar beast.”

“You really think I’d let you face this thing alone?” Ragnar shot back. His tone made it clear retreat wasn’t an option for either of them.

Jake didn’t bother to mention that just a few minutes before, Ragnar had been considering fleeing and leaving him to fight the mutants in the atrium all on his own.

At this point, Jake was seriously contemplating killing the human by putting a bullet through his skull. Ragnar had served his purpose, and he had no further use for him. But before Jake could take any action, Ragnar’s gaze snapped back toward the Myrmex. Without warning, he opened fire on the winged creature, spraying bullets on full auto.

The first rounds to strike its body harmlessly pinged off its armored chitin plates, the metallic sound echoing through the space. Some of the bullets, however, found their mark, drilling into the narrow gaps between the creature’s natural armor, spraying out a mist of green ichor from the fresh wounds.

The creature, feeling the sting of the assault, tilted its head skyward, its multifaceted eyes glinting with rage. It let out a piercing screech that reverberated through the air, a mix of pain and anger. Then, with a sudden shift of focus, it lowered its gaze directly onto the human, and its mandibles spread wide in a menacing display.

In the next moment, the beast activated its first special ability, Resonant Devastation.