The Monarch Of The End Chapter 1: 001 : Chase

Read chapter 1 of The Monarch Of The End by TheBlackPenguin on NovelPedia.

Amid blazing fires and the desperate screams of civilians, countless Monsters rampaged through the streets, tearing into anything they found and spreading terror through the hearts of helpless people. Among them was a young man who looked no older than seventeen, sprinting for his life as a gray wolf pursued him relentlessly. Drool dripped from between its fangs, and rage burned in its eyes. It had been chasing this stubborn prey for over five minutes. The young man gasped for breath as he leaped over shattered rubble and weaved through the flames. "Damn that old man! Didn't he tell me endings are always supposed to be happy?" Still panting, he glanced back just in time to see the massive wolf lunging toward him, jaws wide enough to swallow a huge chunk of flesh. A sly grin spread across his face. "Not today, you filthy furball!" In one swift motion, he pulled a small metal sphere from his coat pocket and hurled it straight at the wolf's face. Boom! The sphere burst into a cloud of thick gray smoke that engulfed them both. The wolf stumbled, letting out an enraged howl. The smoke blinded it and masked the scent of its prey for a few precious moments. Those few moments were all the young man needed. That won't stop it for long... he thought. Thoughts raced through his mind as he ran for his life. That had been his final trick. After all, he wasn't one of those legendary heroes blessed with supernatural powers to fight Monsters. He was just an ordinary human. If you could even call me ordinary. With that thought, Zeroxsus brought his desperate escape to an abrupt end. He had turned left... Right into a dead end. His face turned pale. A faint smile lingered on his lips, but unlike before, it carried no trace of humor. Only fear... And despair. "I never imagined I'd end up inside a wolf's stomach." Behind him came the sound of heavy panting. The wolf emerged from the smoke, saliva dripping from its jaws and pooling on the ground beneath it. It seemed Zeroxsus had finally reached the end of this ridiculous chase. Even so... His heart still burned. Not just with fear— But with determination. "Listen here, you oversized fur cushion. I'm not planning to die without a fight." Zeroxsus raised the wooden-handled dagger in his hand. Deep down, he knew it wouldn't make any difference. It was a meaningless act against overwhelming power. The wolf charged. Its enormous body swallowed his entire field of vision as it crossed the distance between them in an instant, giving Zeroxsus no chance to defend himself. The wolf suddenly pivoted. Its heavy tail whipped through the air like a steel lash, smashing into Zeroxsus and sending him flying nearly two meters. He groaned in pain. When he looked up, gleaming black claws were already descending toward him. Acting on pure instinct, Zeroxsus thrust his arm upward and slashed the wolf's paw with his dagger. The wound distracted the beast for a brief moment. His body slid beneath it as he scrambled free. But the wolf recovered before he could escape. Its massive frame slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. The dagger flew from his hand. Zeroxsus rolled away instinctively, narrowly avoiding another swipe. This time, however... He wasn't fast enough. The wolf's claws ripped across his back. Bright red blood splattered onto the ground. He completed his roll and braced himself against the nearby wall. The wolf's madness only intensified. Its gray eyes glowed beneath the moonlight. Zeroxsus glanced toward the dagger lying a short distance away. It was his last hope of surviving. Assuming it was ever hope to begin with... The wolf lunged, its claws aimed directly at him. And somehow... It missed. Neither the wolf nor Zeroxsus knew the truth. The dagger he had practically mocked was coated in poison. Not just any poison. A toxin capable of killing a fourth-level Monster... Given enough time. This wolf, however, was only around the second level at best. In the next instant, signs of poisoning began spre