Chapitre 41: Stoneback Shepherd's Dog

As the group exited the store, they formed a protective circle around the shopping cart and began their journey back to the gymnasium, which was approximately an hour away. After about twenty minutes, their path took an unexpected turn, presenting them with a perplexing and unnerving sight. Standing before them was a colossal creature, towering at three meters in height, resembling a mutated and enlarged German Shepherd. Its presence sent shivers down their spines, leaving them bewildered and on edge.

Driven by curiosity and the need to assess the situation, Sarah decided to scan the creature using her abilities.

[?????? - Level 7]

To her surprise, the creature's name appeared as a series of question marks. Its appearance was a blend of magnificent golden-brown fur interwoven with patches of obsidian black. Strange formations of rocks and stones seemed to sprout from its back, providing an eerie and formidable exterior. With its jaws wide open, exposing long and menacing teeth, the creature fixated its gaze upon the group. Sarah couldn't help but acknowledge the sheer danger those teeth posed, capable of piercing through their skulls effortlessly.

In an attempt to establish a connection, Philip, upon seeing the dog-like beast, cautiously approached and attempted to communicate with it in a soothing manner, treating it as he would any ordinary dog. However, his gesture seemed to trigger an aggressive response from the creature.

The mutated dog charged forward with a ferocious snarl, targeting Philip as its intended prey. Sarah couldn't resist and threw a jab at Philip.

"Well, Philip, perhaps you should have considered becoming a tank class. You seem to have a knack for taunting enemies," she quipped, quickly nocking an arrow onto her bow. Before the encounter, she had replaced her practice arrow heads with ones designed for lethality, boasting sharper tips and enhanced killing potential.

As the dog leaped toward Philip, poised to strike, Sarah swiftly unleashed an arrow, aiming with precision and determination. The projectile found its mark, piercing the dog's right eye, eliciting a pained yelp from the creature.

The mutated dog staggered back, momentarily disoriented by the arrow lodged in its eye. Taking advantage of the opening, the rest of the group sprang into action. Emily swiftly cast an MP and SP buff spell, channeling her healing abilities to invigorate her comrades.

With a roar of defiance, the dog shook off its daze and lunged at Sarah, its massive jaws snapping in a frenzy. Sarah swiftly evaded the creature's assault, her agile movements a testament to her honed survival instincts. She maneuvered gracefully, using the surrounding environment as cover while maintaining a steady stream of arrows raining down on their formidable opponent.

Undeterred by the initial encounter, Philip embraced his role as the group's protector. He unsheathed his trusty metal pipe, its weight providing him a sense of security. As the mutated dog lunged towards him once more, Philip swung with all his might, aiming for the creature's vulnerable flank. The resounding clang of metal meeting stone echoed through the air as his strike connected, momentarily staggering the beast.

Dave, the group's caster, channeled his mana and unleashed a torrent of magical energy toward the creature. Mana bolts crackled through the air, searing the ground and striking the dog with bursts of raw power. His spells provided crucial support, weakening the creature's defenses and sapping its strength.

Despite their concerted efforts, the mutated dog proved to be a formidable adversary. It thrashed and lunged, displaying an uncanny resilience and an unyielding determination. Its monstrous strength and razor-sharp claws posed a constant threat, forcing the group to maintain continuous vigilance and evade its relentless assaults.

The ferocious battle continued to unfold, leaving its mark on the streets. The mutated dog, driven by its relentless hunger, leaped and lunged with primal fury, its eyes locked onto its human prey. With each bound, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, carving deep gashes and claw marks into the pavement. Its powerful leaps occasionally landed upon abandoned cars, distorting their frames under the beast's weight. The sight of the damaged vehicles served as a stark reminder to the group, urging them to remain agile and avoid being crushed beneath the creature's massive form.

Sarah, never one to back down, continued her relentless barrage of arrows, aiming for vulnerable spots and exploiting any momentary weaknesses in the creature's defenses. Each shot was calculated, each movement precise, as she danced with deadly elegance, the string of her bow a constant symphony of death.

Gradually, their combined efforts began to take their toll on the mutated dog. Wounds accumulated, and its movements grew sluggish. Sensing their opportunity, the group pressed their advantage, their attacks becoming more focused and coordinated.

Finally, with a final, well-placed strike from Philip's metal pipe and a simultaneous surge of magical energy and mana bolt from Dave, the mutated dog let out a final, agonized howl before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching in its last moments of life.

[You have slain (Stoneback Shepherd's Dog - Level 7) – You have gained bounce experience points for killing a creature above your level.]

The group, panting and covered in sweat, stood together, their victory hard-fought but well-deserved.

The encounter profoundly impacted the group, revealing that the system's influence extended beyond the zombie apocalypse. Mutated beasts now roamed the world, and Sarah couldn't help but shudder at the thought. "If creatures like this mutated dog exist, what about wolves and lions?" she pondered aloud, her mind racing with the possibilities. The looming threat of other powerful beasts invading the city fueled a sense of urgency in the group; they knew they had to be prepared for anything.

After the intense battle, Sarah meticulously retrieved her arrows scattered throughout the area. She then approached the fallen three-meter-tall beast, accompanied by Philip, to examine it closely. Curiosity and resourcefulness prompted her to open the creature's mouth and skillfully extract its canines with her trusty machete. Philip gave her an odd look, to which she swiftly defended her actions, "What? We can make daggers out of them. They are sturdy and sharp as hell." Philip rolled his eyes, deciding not to press the matter further.

The group returned to the gymnasium with the spoils of their encounter in tow. They convened with the others to share their harrowing journey as they stored the looted supplies. They emphasized the potential threat of encountering zombie hordes within various stores. They issued a solemn warning about the existence of mutated beasts. Standing united and prepared in the face of the unknown dangers ahead was now more crucial than ever.