Chapter 510: Chapter 504: Escape…..

Unlike the slow-moving zombies in movies, these Parasite Humans after infection move with an exceptional speed. Unorganized, yet faster than ordinary people. Six of them charge at Finn Lewis altogether, their jaws wide open. Finn is certain that if he wasn’t wearing his protective gear, and was knocked down by them, he’d be torn to shreds and devoured instantaneously.

The ferocious and reckless attacks keep Finn’s nerves stretched taut. The lessons that Zero just programmed into Finn’s mind are now subconsciously put to use. Finn’s mind is blank with fear, as the twisted faces of the frenzied, charging Parasite Humans, veins bulging, terrify him into a daze. He takes it as no small feat that he hasn’t screamed out loud yet. ｀｀し

Only when the last Parasite Human falls to the ground with Finn’s dagger plunged into its skull does Finn snap out of his dazed state. Several corpses lie scattered at his feet, rapidly decomposing, as if months had passed in only a few seconds.

“I suggest you start running if you don’t want to fail the mission.” Zero’s voice echoes in Finn’s head. Getting a shiver down his spine, Finn quickly looks around. In the distance, the rumbling sounds of charging Parasite Humans are rapidly approaching. Seeing at least dozens, if not hundreds of them, Finn takes off running in the opposite direction without a second thought.

If he doesn’t run now, wouldn’t it mean game over? Although Finn would not be greatly affected if he fails this mission, he realizes that he hasn’t exerted his full physical potential during the intense clash with the Parasite Humans earlier.

Soon, in a twist that brings Finn to the verge of breakdown, new Parasite Humans emerge from the corner of a few buildings ahead. Only then does it occur to Finn that he was in a metropolis once. If he continues down this path, he would end up alerting no telling how many Parasite Humans. Once their numbers cross into the thousands, and considering how crazed and fearless they are, Finn might have no choice but to call for backup.

Having surveyed his surroundings, Finn heads straight towards a small road. Although a couple of Parasite Humans appear there, their numbers aren’t overwhelming. In contrast, dozens of them are appearing on the farther-off streets.

Finn grits his teeth, “This is like the saying about the duck being forced onto the perch”. The scene Finn had envisaged, of becoming a powerful warrior after Zero crammed a bunch of fighting techniques into his mind, never actually happened. The knowledge seems to be in his head, but when he tries to recall it, he draws a blank. It’s nothing like he had imagined, the knowledge doesn’t make him invincible.

Now’s not the time to question Zero. Finn’s combat moves when confronting the Parasite Humans were effective. Yet, they are nowhere near as efficient as Finn had hoped for.

Watching the three rapidly approaching Parasite Humans, Finn lowers his head, grits his teeth, and rushes towards them. Finn’s physical ability, coupled with his protective gear is nothing to be scoffed at. The Parasite Humans, whose mental capabilities don’t seem significant, rush headlong towards him. They only reach for him when they are close enough.

Finn doesn’t intend to fight them though. There are hundreds of Parasite Humans following him. If he gets held up here by these three, he’ll only be waiting for Zero to teleport him to safety.

Tilting his body slightly, Finn uses his shoulder to bullrush towards the three Parasite Humans, sending two of them flying back upon impact. The large opposing force slows Finn down a bit, but due to his low center of gravity, he still manages to maintain his balance.

Having charged past the three Parasite Humans, he drives straight into an alley. No other Parasite Humans in sight, and Finn’s pace is faster than theirs. He’ll sprint to the other side of the relatively short alley in under a minute. As he sprints, he also observes his surroundings, trying to figure out an escape strategy from the hounding Parasite Humans.

As Finn contemplates how to escape the Parasite Humans, suddenly the manhole cover in the alley is pushed open and someone emerges from it, hastily waving at him. Startled for a moment, Finn quickens his pace to rush over. By the time he gets there, the alleyway is wide open. He jumps in without hesitating, following which the man swiftly replaces the manhole cover.

“Hurry, hurry.” After sealing the manhole, the stranger makes their way down the ladder and into the sewer, snapping open a glow-stick, and dashing ahead. Finn hastens to follow suit.

They move swiftly and soon Finn hears the relentless banging on the manhole cover above. Apparently, these creatures aren’t smart enough to lift the cover up but only keep hitting it, trying to break it open. But that could prove to be quite difficult.

The person leading the way, is not very tall, and seems thin too. From his voice, which Finn heard earlier, he appears to be a child.

“Jump in here, then swim underwater till you reach the other side.” The two of them quickly reach a vast chamber inside the sewer. It appears to be a reservoir for the city’s emergency drainage system.

The water below appears black and has a repugnant smell. However, the leader nonchalantly jumps in without hesitation, disappearing beneath the surface. Finn, fully enveloped in his protective suit by now, doesn’t hesitate to jump in after. The water is highly turbid, but Finn, with his eyes wide open can vaguely make out the figure ahead. The water seems to be littered with large and small chunks of black debris.

About a minute later, the figure ahead surfaces, followed by Finn. As soon as Finn surfaces, his protective suit retracts, revealing his head. The dim lighting around ensures that the child leading him doesn’t catch this transformation.