C4 They Started Fighting Without Knowing Anything

"Hiss... Hiss!" The cockroach spread its wings and leaped toward Moorer's head.

"Get away from me!" Moorer seized the moment and executed a backflip to evade the mutated cockroach's assault.

"What in the world is this thing?!" Staring at the monstrous creature larger than a cat and sporting fangs, Moorer was taken aback. Even an MTF soldier, far stronger than him, would be terrified at the sight.

The cockroach, having missed its initial strike, lay on its back, legs flailing aimlessly in the air.

It was an opportune moment, but Moorer, still groggy from waking, wasn't quick on the uptake and missed his chance to counterattack. By the time he came to his senses, the cockroach was back on its feet, wings unfurled for a second strike.

Meow sensed the peril. Seeing Moorer under attack, it puffed up defensively, arched its back, and bared its teeth and claws. Accompanied by a piercing screech, Meow sprang into action, landing deftly on the cockroach's outstretched wings. It launched a frenzied attack, claws and teeth tearing into the cockroach, sending blood and gore splattering. The cockroach's agonized shrieks echoed throughout the hibernation chamber.

"Meow! Get out of the way!" Moorer took advantage of the chaos, lunging toward the cockroach with two large strides and delivering a solid kick to its head, splattering green ichor everywhere. Not taking any chances, he followed up with another powerful blow, his foot driving into the cockroach's neck. Organs and blood erupted like a geyser from the gashes Meow had inflicted, drenching the wall and covering Moorer in the gruesome mess. The cockroach was finally still.

"What the heck happened here? How did this cockroach get like this?" Moorer shook off his shoes, flinging the vile green sludge to the ground, talking to himself in disbelief.

"It's quite normal, actually." The sudden voice made Moorer jump. He turned toward the sound and saw the little boy from before.

"After the meteorite hit, the environment was nearly obliterated. To survive, the remaining species had to evolve. It's also possible that damaged power facilities caused a nuclear leak, and the meteorite's unknown elements contributed to these mutations."

"Compared to your second theory... I'm more inclined toward the first one..." Moorer's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction. He had noticed that the guy hadn't lifted a finger throughout the entire ordeal. During the recent skirmish, he had merely leaned against the wall of the hibernating pod, silently observing as if he were detached from the situation.

"Also, there's something else you should know..." The boy gestured toward the hibernation room door. "There's bound to be more than one of those creatures out there..."

At that moment, the alarm outside had ceased, but the broadcast continued unabated.

"Attention all staff members. The explosion-proof door of the hibernation room will open in three minutes. Please assist the hibernators in exiting the shelter facilities in an orderly fashion..."

Meow was busy grooming its paws, occasionally making a retching gesture, clearly repulsed by the mutated cockroach.

But as a cat, its senses of smell and hearing were far superior to those of humans. A light sniff of the air sent shivers down its spine. Struggling to maintain composure, it leaped onto Moorer's shoulder, its voice quivering as it warned:

"Brother Mo... Brother Mo... There are so... so many of... those things outside..."

Moorer's heart skipped a beat. He frantically looked around for any potential weapon, but in a hibernation room, finding something suitable was no easy task.

His eyes finally settled on a damaged section of water pipe. He strode over, wrenched the seventy-centimeter-long pipe from the wall, and found it to be the perfect weight and thickness. Swinging it felt natural, though its rust-covered surface was a concern; improper use could lead to tetanus.

Meanwhile, Payson was also gearing up. He rummaged through a tool bag, pulling out a massive wrench and a slender awl. He clipped the awl to his waist and, wrench in hand, approached Moorer.

"Uncle, I think it's time we get ready for a fight..."

"Who are you calling uncle? Watch your back!"

With a swift motion, Moorer shoved Payson aside and swung his water pipe at the creature behind him. The pipe spun through the air and embedded itself firmly into the monster's skull.

Payson rose from the ground, glanced at the carcass of the monster behind him, and then turned his gaze to Moorer, offering a quiet word of thanks.

Moorer grunted and extended his hand to help Payson to his feet. "Don't mention it. By the way, what's your name, kid?"

"Payson..." The boy's voice remained as devoid of emotion as it had been initially, leaving Moorer feeling both perplexed and slightly irked.

Moorer approached the monster's carcass and yanked the water pipe from its skull. It was then that he got a good look at the creature: a mutated spider, its body larger than a typical washbasin. Taking into account the length of its legs, it stood about half Moorer's height.

All of a sudden, Payson and the others heard a hissing sound, like that of a pressure valve being released, sending a shiver through each of them.

The sealed door to the hibernating pod swung open.