Kapitel 32: 40;ENEMY SCHEME.
The iron gates of the hunter camp groaned open, their deafening clang cutting through the stillness of dawn. A flood of hunters surged forth, a relentless tide of humanity forged into weapons over the past month. Each figure leapt, sprinted, and darted across the rugged, lifeless expanse of New Earth, spreading like a swarm of ravenous bees seeking their prey. Armed to the teeth with blades, plasma rifles, and an arsenal of tools designed to combat the formlings, the hunters poured into the unknown wilderness, their war cries piercing the morning air.
The ground trembled beneath the weight of a hundred thousand boots. Dust clouds rose, mixing with the faint, acrid smell of blood and the metallic tang of adrenaline that hung heavy in the atmosphere. The formlings were out there, waiting in the shadows of jagged cliffs and decaying structures. Every hunter knew the odds, but the fire in their eyes burned bright. Survival was no longer enough—this was about reclaiming dominance in a world overrun by monstrosities.
Among the chaos of moving bodies,D44 slowed his pace and turned, his attention laser-focused on a single figure walking calmly through the horde. His gaze locked on Leo, or C66, as the hunters knew him by his identifier. While others sprinted ahead with unbridled fury, Leo was a stark contrast—cool, deliberate, and detached. His blue eyes reflected a serenity that stood in defiance of the chaos surrounding him.
A slow, sinister grin spread across D44's rugged face. His jagged teeth, stained by countless battles, gleamed in the morning light as he turned to a group of hunters moving beside him. These men weren't just his comrades—they were handpicked conspirators in a plot that had been carefully laid the night before.
The other hunters met his grin with knowing nods, their expressions ranging from nervous anticipation to wicked excitement. Some adjusted their weapons while glancing toward Leo, their eyes flickering with a dark intent that would go unnoticed amid the frenzy.
D44 whispered under his breath, his voice dripping with venom. "C66… You're done for."
[The night before]
The dim glow of a lantern cast flickering shadows on the walls of a makeshift tent. The air inside was tense, heavy with the stench of sweat and raw ambition. About thirty hunters were crammed into the space, their faces illuminated by the faint, amber light. Weapons leaned haphazardly against the walls, and the low hum of voices outside the tent was drowned out by the conspiratorial silence within.
At the center of the tent stood D44, a colossus of a man whose very presence demanded attention. His broken right arm, wrapped in crude bandages, did little to diminish the aura of dominance he exuded. He leaned forward on the table in the middle of the room, the lantern's light casting harsh shadows across his angular face.
"Fellow hunters," D44 began, his voice low and gravelly, yet laced with authority. "I've called you here for one reason and one reason only."
The men leaned in closer, their expressions curious but wary.
"By now," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the group, "you've all figured out my undeniable love for A11."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the room.
"But there's one problem." He slammed his fist onto the table, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap. "I can't get near her because of that bastard, C66."
The mention of Leo's identifier sent a wave of recognition through the group. D44's reputation—and his obsessive infatuation with A11—was well-known among the hunters.
D44 straightened, his towering frame casting a long shadow. "Now, I'm guessing you all know what tomorrow brings," he said, his tone conspiratorial.
The men nodded silently.
One of them, a wiry hunter named B22, spoke up. "Is that why we're here? You want to ambush C66 and use the chaos to get rid of him?"
D44 smirked, his lips curling into a devilish grin. He stepped forward, clapping a hand on B22's shoulder. "Fellow hunter is very clever," he said, his voice dripping with mock approval.
B22 puffed his chest slightly, emboldened by the recognition.
D44 turned back to the group, his voice rising. "What B22 said is exactly right. Tomorrow, we're not just hunting formlings—we're hunting C66. And I need all of you to make it happen."
For a moment, the group was silent, weighing the implications of D44's words. Then, a lone figure stood up, his movements deliberate.
It was C12, a quiet but formidable hunter known for his principles. His expression was stoic as he said, "If that's all, I'll be leaving."
The air in the tent grew thick with tension.
D44's grin faltered as he turned to face C12. "Leaving? And why is that, brother?"
C12 met his gaze without flinching. "I don't do dirty work. If you want to settle your grudge, do it yourself."
The other hunters exchanged uneasy glances, their nerves stretched taut.
D44 laughed—a low, humorless sound. He crossed the distance between them in two strides, placing a heavy hand on C12's shoulder. "Oh, brother," he said, his tone deceptively light.
Before anyone could react, D44's hand clenched, and with a sickening crack, he snapped C12's shoulder.
C12's eyes widened in shock as the pain hit him, but before he could scream, D44's massive hand clamped over his mouth. "Not a word," D44 growled, his voice ice-cold. "Unless you want me to break your jaw too."
C12's muffled whimpers filled the tent as he crumpled to the ground.
D44 released him, his expression calm as he turned back to the group. "Anyone else have a problem with the plan?"
The hunters shook their heads vehemently, their fear palpable.
"Good," D44 said, his smile returning. He gestured to two men at the back of the tent. "Take him to the infirmary. Tell them he… tripped or something."
The two men nodded and hoisted C12's unconscious body between them, dragging him out of the tent.
As the flap closed behind them, D44 turned back to the remaining hunters. "C66… You're done for."
[Back at the present]
The wind whipped through the desolate terrain as the hunters spilled out of the gates, their shouts of fury echoing across the wasteland.
D44 jogged steadily, his mind replaying the events of the previous night. His eyes flicked toward Leo, who was still walking calmly through the crowd, completely unaware of the storm brewing around him.
A dark smile spread across D44's face as he muttered under his breath, "Today, you die, C66."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein