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8.64% Mutagen / Chapter 99: Citta Italia

Chương 99: Citta Italia

Day 3 – 3:42 PM – Molino Boulevard, Molino II, Bacoor City, Cavite

Mark sat on the roof of the MB Sprinter while they drove on the way back. The seat was quite uncomfortable but he decided on not entering the vehicle to save time and for the wind to lessen the unpleasant smell that permeated on his clothes. Another thing was this place allowed him to see a better view of the surroundings and he could eliminate any sudden and incoming threat.

Not long after, about a minute or so, they finally saw the place where the convoy stopped. It was on the side walk between the road and the vacant farmlands on the curved area of the boulevard. However, it seemed that the atmosphere in the group was not that good. After getting closer, Mark could tell that everyone's morale was even lower than before.

The area around the convoy was a total mess. There were about a hundred bodies of dead infected surrounding the convoy. It seemed that their battle had just ended as the pools of blood and the dead bodies were still fresh. Mark could also see the number of the policemen that were short by three people and they were currently encircled around a body covered in cloth.

When they arrived, Mark could see the relief and amazement on their faces. While they were struggling with about a hundred infected coming after them, the group that was confronted by several hundred infected actually returned unscathed. Furthermore, there was barely any damage on their vehicle. The relief on the faces of the survivors could not be hidden that Odelina and the rest also noticed it.

When their vehicle stopped, Mark jumped down and was immediately approached by Madam Lanie and Chief Mallari.

"What happened here?"

Mark asked while looking around. He was not sure why there were a lot of infected here. Even though the number was nothing compared to the horde they encountered earlier, the number was still too many compared to the number of the infected in this area before when they passed by.

"The infected got attracted here when one of the volunteers fired his gun. He was attacked by an infected covered with fungal roots and had a mushroom growing out of its eyes."

Chief Mallari narrated the situation along with what happened to the volunteer and the number of their losses.

According to the two, they lost two volunteers and a policeman because of the mushroom infected and another volunteer and another policeman because of the infected attracted to the noise. They lost a total of five men in the span Mark and his group was gone.

"Have you found the person you are looking for?"

Madam Lanie asked in curiosity.

"We did. He's unconscious but he should wake up sooner or later."

Mark said indifferently. He then looked at the sky and the direction of the sun before continuing.

"We should hit the road now. It'll get dark soon."

What Mark said put on more pressure on the shoulders of the two. It would be more dangerous for them if they got stuck on the road after nightfall. Before the outbreak, this distance away from the City Hall was just several minutes but they all spent a whole lot of time just to bypass the blockades on the road and deal with the dangers around.

Actually, Mark wanted to see the mushroom infected they were talking about and take some pictures and videos. To say the truth, the Bluetooth camera on his collar showed that he was recording every single detail of their encounters. It was for documentation and future references if needed. However, their time constraints were getting tighter at the moment. In about two hours, the sun would set and it would be hard to continue on the road after that. They must reach Firenze or at least, find a place to spend the night and hit the road tomorrow.

With that said, everyone immediately prepared for departure. The police was dismayed about the loss of their comrades in arms and wanted to give them a proper burial but that was not possible at their current circumstances. The best that they could do was to place their bodies away from the road and offer some prayers before departing. What made them dismayed even more was that they could not even approach the body of their comrade that had fallen victim to the mushroom spores and could only look at it from afar afraid that the body would release spores again.

***

After a few minutes of preparation, the convoy was now, back on the road. Mark sat back inside the vehicle after changing into another jacket. It seemed that the smell was too strong that Abbygale did not even want to approach him before he changed his clothes once more. He looked at the two unconscious people with a little bit of annoyance. These two sure know how to sleep. The fever of the woman had already ceded and she was just sleeping peacefully, Carlo was another thing though. His fever was still as high as before. There was not much change in his condition.

Even though she knew that Carlo was not in any danger, Sundra could not help but worry. Still, Mark and Melissa were sure that Carlo's condition was due to evolution. If not, Carlo would have long been gone to the afterlife already, considering how high his temperature was.

WAAAAHH!!!

While contemplating about Carlo's condition, a sudden ear piercing scream sounded inside the vehicle making everyone flinch. It seemed that the woman had already awoken. Unfortunately, the first person she saw upon waking up was the female infected who was tied up at the end of the seat. Like a cat stepped on its tail, the woman tried to stand up and run away just to bump her head harshly on the roof of the vehicle waking her up fully and making her squat on the floor in pain.

Everyone was surprised at her antics that they did not even manage to get the right expression to look at her. Melissa immediately approached her to calm her down. As a nurse, she experienced these kinds of thing from time to time making her the first person to react. There were times that patients would be delirious after waking up due to the trauma they received before falling unconscious. However, Mark knew at this moment that the woman was just being muddle headed from sleeping for too long.

When the woman finally calmed down, she swept her eyes around and finally confirmed that she was safe however, her face turned red after realizing how embarrassing her actions have been. When she saw Sundra looking at her, she could not help but avert her gaze. She remembered what she did in desperation back there in the rooftop when they were all dying in cold. Even if it was for the sake of survival, huddling in her underwear with her superior at work in front of his girlfriend was still shameful.

Every change in her emotions did not escape the Empath in the group. Mark could not help but sigh while shrugging his shoulders. It looked like they really picked up a baggage this time. Though she seemed to have the same temperament as Angeline, she was clumsier and more unreliable. He wondered how this woman could work in a fast food restaurant in that condition.

Learning everything that happened while she was unconscious, the woman looked at everyone with gratitude. However, expressing it would come in another time. The convoy had already reached their first stop before getting to Firenze, Citta Italia Private Subdivision. There was a problem though.

The huge gates of the subdivision were closed.

"Everyone, just stay here. I'll check the gates."

Everyone nodded except for the clueless woman and Abbygale that did not even ask for permission and just jumped off the vehicle after Mark. He could only shake his head to this but did not reprimand the little girl. She could handle herself after all. Together with Abbygale, Mark made his way towards the closed gates.

The police men also went out of their vehicle to guard the perimeter. However, it was unnecessary. The infected at this area had already been killed by them after they attracted them by the sound of their guns firing. Still, it was better to be on-guard rather than get caught off-guard.

Fortunately, the gates were just closed and not really locked. After Mark entered through the pedestrian's gate at the side, he immediately opened the large gates blocking the road. Nevertheless, Mark was not happy about the easy opening of the gates. It was not because there was no action but the place was too silent. It was normal if they did not find any human but how could there be not a single infected to be found?

Furthermore, he could see marks and dried up blood on the gates, the street and the walls but there were not a single corpse to be seen. It was really odd that it gave Mark a bad feeling, really bad feeling. However, this was the only road closest to their destination. He might be wrong about his intuition either.

Still, it seemed that not only Mark felt something wrong. Abbygale was also looking around warily. Her eyes were dilated like a cat sensing her enemy.

When he opened the gate, the vehicles slowly drove into the subdivision. The MB Sprinter drove over towards Mark and Abbygales direction. After the convoy entered, Mark was contemplating if he should leave the gates or open or not. In the end, he closed the gates. It was not to let the infected into the subdivision. Who knows? Maybe they would need to go through this route once more.

"Master, is there something wrong?"

Odelina pulled down the windows of the driver's seat and asked Mark. She could see the unpleasant expression Mark had while he was observing the area. The other people inside the vehicle perked up their ears after hearing the question. It was not them being nosy but they also wanted to know the situation.

"You don't feel anything odd Odel?"

Mark said while sizing up the surroundings. Realizing what her master said, Odelina looked around and replied.

"Master, isn't it too quiet?"

Odelina also felt the oddness of the situation. Also, the place was too clean, odd for a place without people.

"Should we go back?"

Odelina asked.

"We don't have a better choice other than this road. You saw the situation back there where the horde came from. Our alternative route should be there but the road was blocked."

"What should we do then?"

"Let's proceed. We'll just be careful."

Odelina nodded while the people inside the vehicle who were listening could not help but feel nervous. Would they really encounter danger here? The place looked peaceful though.

After conversing with Odelina, Mark approached the police vehicle making Chief Mallari and Madam Lanie to come out of their vehicles.

"Is something wrong?"

The congresswoman asked.

"Nothing much but I'll just warn you guys to be wary of the surroundings."

"What's the matter?"

Chief Mallari asked sensing the uneasy atmosphere around Mark.

"Look around you, doesn't it look odd that you can see nothing but dried up blood. There wasn't even decapitated body parts or extracted body organs around."

Hearing what Mark said, the countenance of the two changed. This was really strange and odd. It was good that Mark mentioned it to them since they did not realize at all. They just thought that they did not see any infected since the gates were closed.

"I'm just saying that we should be careful while we traverse this road. Be prepared for anything that can happen and act accordingly."

The two agreed to his advice. They knew the other routes they planned as alternative was already inaccessible. This was the last road with the least danger and obstacles.

Going back to his vehicle, Mark opened the door and let Abbygale inside but he did not enter.

"Mei'er my bag."

Mei immediately handed him his bag. Mark stretched his hand and took the bag from Mei's hand.

"Gege, where are you going?"

"I'll stay on the roof. I just don't feel easy so it's better if I could act without needing to stop the car."

To what he said, Mei nodded.

"Gege, be careful."

Mei approached the door.

"Alright."

Mark patted her head before she retreated. Mark closed the door and propelled himself up to the rooftop of the vehicle.

With a knock on the driver's window, he signaled Odelina to move on. The vehicle started to move and drove through the private road with the other vehicles behind.

Mark sat on the roof warily observing the surroundings. He would look here and there and look back and forth without stopping. It may cause him a bit of a stiff neck later but he could just not feel at ease at the moment, as if there was something tugging on his mind.

Everything was fine after they left the gates and the drive went smoothly. However, after they exited the phase 1 area and passed by a vacant lot with a convenience store, Mark's countenance changed. He felt a pressing pain in his head and his eyes turned bloodshot. He turned to his right and his bloodshot eyes dilated.

He immediately took out the two radios in his waist, one to contact Mei while the other to contact the radios within the convoy. Pressing the voice input buttons, he shouted.

"Everyone prepare! Enemy at 3 o'clock!"

After shouting, he immediately put back the radios and pulled the Assault Rifle by his side. He started to aim at the incoming enemy.

Everyone in the convoy who heard what he said turned their faces to the right side of the road. Seeing the incoming danger, the survivors had the look of horror on their faces. Even the countenance of the policemen and the congresswoman's group turned grave.

"What is that?"

Sundra voiced inside the MB Sprinter. However, the only person who could answer that question was sitting on the rooftop getting ready to shoot.

And the target…

It was a three meter tall dog, rushing towards their direction from the street to the north like a hungry beast with its blood covered mouth and ferocious golden stare.


SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Exallion Exallion

Another Boss fight!!!

Now while riding a vehicle!

How would they deal with this predicament while keeping the losses to a minimum? What kind of creature was it? Would it target Mark like the other infected did?

Why do I have too many questions?

Well, I don't know either!

Chương 100: The First Encounter with Three Meter Tall Dog

Day 3 – 4:02 PM – Citta Italia Main Road, Citta Italia Pvt. Subd. , Molino III, Bacoor City, Cavite

While everyone in the convoy was in panic, Mark on top of the MB Sprinter was waiting for the right timing to shoot. The oversized dog was still quite a distance away. Despite the distance of the threat away from them, Mark could clearly see its features.

The three meter tall dog had a lean body structure with a broad and deep chest. Its fur was longer compared to common dog breeds but not too long either. The fur was drooped over its body and not scattered in every direction. The ears of the dog was lopped but quite small compared to its body proportions.

Its size aside, it also had several strange features. Like the golden sheen on its cream colored coat and its golden eyes that was shining despite not being shined with direct light. Furthermore, there were several golden spikes in protruded on its body. There was even a horn in the middle of its forehead.

Sad to say, Mark could not recognize the breed off this dog.

As the dog was now clearly on sight, Mark finally fired his first shot.

TSST!

The first shot missed because of the distance and the speed the dog was running. However, it looked like it was alarmed about Mark's existence on the roof of the black vehicle in front of the convoy. It stared at the man that was aiming an assault rifle on with a ferocious glare.

Mark saw the dog stare and snarled at him however, it did not continue on staring at him as it ran closer and closer. It was also observing the other vehicles behind. Then, as it decided on its target, the direction it was running shifted slightly.

TSST! TSST! TSST! TSST! TSST!

Five shots were fired by Mark forcing the dog to stop. Mark realized that it was wary of him, or rather, his assault rifle. He deliberately shot the area in front of it to gauge several things. He was also monitoring its overbearing emotions. When the dog forcibly stopped, Mark pulled out the two radios again.

"Vehicles without combatants increase your speed and run on the left lane. Chief, your vehicle and the other multi-cab should follow directly behind ours. The vehicles on the right lane will serve as a wall. This huge dog is wary of guns."

Mark said in a stern voice towards the radio connected to the police while making sure that the other radio could also hear his orders.

"Odel, match the speed of the vehicles to the right."

Following his orders, the vans and the armored Caddilac drove towards the opposite lane making the vehicles on the right lane as cover. Seven vehicles drove with full speed along the private main road in two columns. It was fortunate that it was a private subdivision and there was no vehicles abandoned on the main road. If not, this formation was impossible to pull off without facing accidents.

The huge dog was surprised due to the sudden change. Mark could detect its emotions and overwhelming anger.

Of course, the huge dog would not stop there to capture its prey. Since its first target was hiding behind these small vehicles, it made its move, charging towards the multi-cabs. It could not wait to eat its prey.

However, that would not happen so easily.

Mark and the police started to shoot the huge dog. It was not a warning shot anymore but they were all shooting the large animal with intent to kill it.

Sensing the danger, the huge dog started to jump side to side but it did not stop its charge. It continued snarling as it came closer and closer. The policemen and the armed volunteers started to panic inside their vehicles. Their shots became more and more inaccurate and disoriented.

SPLURT!

The huge dog was already just a dozen of meters away from the multi-cab at the end of the convoy when the dog was shot in its thigh. The three shot burst Mark made all drilled holes into its thigh forcing it to stop and wail in pain.

It was then that the situation became more severe.

The huge dog retreated and several steps and howled. The howl was ear-piercing and it even made two of the policemen to drop their pistols outside the window of the multi-cab involuntarily. Everyone who heard the howl felt dizzy and could not help but cover their ears with both hands.

"STOP THE CARS!"

SCREEEECH!

All the vehicles except for the MB Sprinter forcibly stopped. It was because the Chief yelled on the radio at the last moment. His order was a good call or else, the disoriented drivers might have caused an accident and did more damage. Everyone on the convoy experienced an excruciating pain in their ear and head. The only exception was Mark's group that was inside the MB Sprinter due to the tight soundproofing of the vehicle.

Still, the vehicles stopping only gave the huge dog more time to catch up. Ignoring its wounds that were still spurting blood, the three meter tall dog charged towards the convoy once more.

On top of the MB Sprinter, Mark forcibly endured the pain in his ear and aimed his gun once more.

TSST! TSST! TSST!

Mark emptied the remaining ammunition in the clip of his assault rifle.

The huge dog did not expect that there would be someone who was able to endure its howl and was buffeted with the rain of bullets. Several holes appeared on its body spurting blood. The huge dog wailed in pain and looked angrily towards the man who shot it. It became dumbfounded. He saw the man stretching his hand towards it while his eyes were glowing red. The dog felt a bad feeling and immediately fled. It ran away and jumped over the roof of a two story house. It continued to flee until it could not be seen anymore behind the rows of houses.

Mark who was ready to launch a mental attack almost cursed. The damn dog was too sensitive and immediately ran away after feeling danger. Still, he could sigh in relief that it retreated. If it did not, they would surely incur casualties because of that dog.

"Is everyone alright?"

Mark heard Madam Lanie speak through the radio. The replies came immediately and it seemed that several people within the multi-cab targeted by the dog fainted and their eardrums were ruptured. Except for those, everyone else was fine. Everyone was relieved that the huge dog retreated.

It was good that Mark's body was not the same as before the outbreak. If it was before, he doubted that he could endure that sound wave attack. As there was no time to check for everything, Mark spoke to the radio.

"Everyone, we should hurry up and move on. The dog retreated for now but I don't think that it will stop attacking just like that."

What he said, poured water on the relieved faces of everyone. They all hurried to get back on the way.

On the other hand, Mark was frowning while looking at the rows of houses to the north. The other people might not know but he could. The dog did not run away but was hiding behind that row of houses. Probably, it was healing its injuries. It was a pity that he would not be able to do a mental attack at this distance.

***

The convoy continued on the road with even faster speed than before. Everyone only hoped that they could leave this place as soon as possible.

While above the roof of their vehicle, Mark kept on staring on a certain direction while aiming his gun. The people on the other vehicles could see him but could not understand his actions. However, the police chief and the policemen who participated back then when they dealt with the escaped criminals at the Police Command Center was sweating profusely. They think that Mark had the ability to sense enemies or danger around him. With Mark behaving like that, they knew that the huge dog should be nearby.

While Mark was concentrating on monitoring the direction where he could feel the dog was, he heard Mei's voice from his radio.

"Gege, what kind of dog is that? It didn't seem attracted to you."

It made him almost spew out blood from his mouth. Mei's wording made him feel that he was too ugly that only the infected was interested on him. Still, he did not push it. It was not the time for jokes right now.

"That dog is not a mutated infected or an evolved animal like the huge cat back there in the City Hall."

Everyone who knew the circumstances inside the vehicle was surprised. It was not an infected and not an evolved animal. Then what was it?

He then heard Odel speaking.

"Master, don't tell me that it's a Mutator."

"It is. It had the same fluctuations that you have back then when I fought you."

Melissa, Charmaine, Sundra and the other woman was surprised. Not because the dog was a Mutator but because Mark said that he fought Odelina before. However, they did not understand everything else in the conversation with those aside.

Then, Mark heard Abbygale's voice from the radio.

"Papa, I want that doggie."

The little girl's request made everyone stare at her.

"That doggie is not for children, Gale. I'll find a dog for you later but not this one."

Mark replied in a gentle voice but he was actually having a cold sweat. The request of his self-proclaimed daughter was getting more dangerous.

Hearing that, Abbygale was visibly displeased.

"Gale, that doggie is dangerous. Your Papa might get hurt."

Mei followed up what Mark said. However, the little girl stared at Mei. She then spoke.

"Mama, tell Papa to get me that doggie."

Abbygale begged and hugged Mei. Everyone was struck speechless. However, it seemed that it was effective towards Mei. As if she had just lost her mind, she spoke on the radio.

"Gege, is it possible to catch that dog?"

Mark choked and started coughing hard.

'Just what the hell?'

As Mei was holding the voice input button of the radio on her hand, Mark could hear everything they were saying. The little girl was being cunning!

"Master, is it possible to subdue that huge dog? You can do it right?"

Odelina asked making Mark even more dispirited.

'These women were surely going to kill me in the future.'

He thought in his heart.

But he could not lie to these girls and deny that it was not possible. Just as he said, the dog was in the similar situation as Odelina when she was being consumed by that consciousness that sprouted because of her mutation. That dog was also struggling mentally.

If fact, if it was not dangerous, he also wanted to catch that dog and make it his pet. However, he was not sure if he would be able to. The one who saved Odelina was not him after all but Freed. Furthermore, the emotional fluctuations of this Mutator Dog were more berserk. If he encountered this dog before he evolved, just the emotional fluctuation the dog was releasing was enough to make him lose consciousness.

The girls inside the vehicle were waiting for his answer but he was still contemplating. Nevertheless, he detected some movements this time. He looked towards the direction the convoy was going and they were about to arrive at the other entrance of the subdivision. Fortunately or unfortunately, the gates were also closed. The closed gates prevented the infected from coming in but now, it barred them from coming out safely.

He could detect that the huge dog was also starting to move. This damn cunning dog planned to attack them when they were busy opening the gates.

Like a mouse cornered by a cat, they would have no choice but to fight it. Not to help these baggage they were escorting but for them to survive themselves. Since that was the case, he might as well get the chance to subdue this ferocious animal.

For some reason, his blood started to boil with that thought. His eyes were glowing and he let out a ferocious smile similar to a madman's. He knew that the mental effects the Mutagen brought to his body was kicking up again. But this time, he just let it go without restraining it. He felt that this time, he might as well go wild.

He pressed the voice input on the radio and calmly spoke.

"You girls win. We're going to catch that dog. Gale! Odel! Both of you will help me with this! Go all out!"


SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO
Exallion Exallion

I wanna be, the very best! No one...

Ahem.

The little girl's request is getting a little outrageous at the moment. Would they be able to successfully subdue this dog without sacrifices?

Anyways, we're just one more chapter away from Firenze!

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