"Hurry up, son! You're going to be late!"
While Mary was packing a lunch in the kitchen, Richard, who had already grabbed the car keys, called out to their only son.
"Just a second!" Ray shouted back from the second floor, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
In less than half a minute, the short-haired young man was seen running down the stairs. His academic attire was incomplete; he was only wearing his black graduation gown, while his mortarboard and the blue hood, the identity color of Ray's faculty, were still in his hands.
"Oh dear. You haven't finished tidying yourself up yet!" Mary commented just as she finished her preparations and stepped out of the kitchen.
"I was so nervous last night I could hardly sleep!" Ray replied while struggling to put on his graduation hood.
"You can continue it in the car," Richard suggested. "Come on. We're heading now."
Richard got into the car first, pulling it out of the garage. After Mary came out carrying the lunch bag, their son followed while adjusting the hood on his gown.
The Davidson family then departed, leaving their modest home in Armour Hills, Missouri.
---
The David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium was incredibly crowded that morning.
The vast American football field was filled with rows of chairs occupied by hundreds of graduates from the University of Kansas, all wearing academic regalia with hoods of various colors according to their respective faculties.
Ray and his parents walked down the hill, passing through the legendary Campanile bell tower gate.
There is a legend in the campus said that if a student passed through this gate before graduation day, they would never graduate. But today, Ray stepped through it with pride as a graduate.
In front of them was the stage where the graduates would be called one by one to receive their honors. Several video cameras were mounted at the edge of the stage, connected directly to the stadium's massive LED screens.
Meanwhile, nearly every seat in the stadium stands was packed with attendees, families, relatives, and friends of the graduates. They were eagerly waiting for the ceremony to begin, to see their children, siblings, or friends officially inaugurated as graduates.
There were still people entering the stadium and looking for available seats, including Ray and his parents. Ray's parents were awestruck by the sight of the event.
"It's so festive..." Mary was awestruck; this was her first time inside David Booth Stadium.
"Fortunately, it hasn't started yet," Richard said with relief after looking around. "Let's go, Mary. There are still plenty of seats for us."
"Heeey! Raaay!"
Ray heard his name being called from a distance. Despite the crowd around him, he knew the voice came from a group of students in academic regalia on the field.
He spotted two of his friends. An African-American young man with glasses and a girl with long black hair, waving at him. There was one empty chair to the left of the girl. They had saved it for him.
Ray waved back at them happily.
"Well, we're going to find a place to sit," Richard said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder and making him turn around. "Go on, join your friends."
"O—oh, right..." Ray replied with a slight stutter.
"Stop being nervous. This is your big day," Mary said with a warm smile to calm him down.
"I'm not nervous!" Ray tried to look confident, though he wasn't convincing to his parents. "Not anymore, at least..."
"Ray," Richard said softly. He lifted Ray's right hand, palm up. "Look at your hand."
Ray looked down at his slightly trembling hand while listening to Richard speak in a gentle tone.
"These hands will save people. Being a doctor isn't just about a diagnosis on paper, Ray. It's about the courage to take responsibility for someone's life. Your mother and I never doubted you because we know your heart is in the right place."
As he looked at his father, Ray listened intently. Richard's expression radiated an aura that was deeply inspiring to Ray. He didn't see a single hint of doubt in that smile, just like his mother's.
"No matter what happens to you in the future. As long as you use your strength to protect the weak, as long as you are sure that everything you fight for is right... you will always be our pride," his father continued. "All you need to do is keep moving forward. In the end, you will become an inspiration to the world. We are sure of it."
After that, Richard took his hand off Ray's shoulder. He saw his son was a little calmer than before.
"Alright, Dad. Thank you," Ray smiled at his parents.
"Now, hurry. Don't keep Lois waiting. She's already kept a seat for you," Mary teased him, referring to the girl classmate who had just called out.
"Mom! Not you too!" Ray replied in annoyance, his face turning red.
Mary laughed at his embarrassment before she and Richard went to find their seats.
Still feeling a bit embarrassed, Ray walked onto the field to join the other graduates.
Ray exhaled. He was grateful his friends weren't with him when he spoke to his mother earlier, especially Lois. It wasn't as if they hadn't known for a long time about the feelings he and Lois harbored for each other.
Upon reaching the rows of seats for his faculty, he approached the two classmates who had called out to him.
"Hey," he greeted while sitting in the chair next to Lois.
"What's up, bro? You look like a mess!" Devon commented.
"I overslept, haha..." Ray rubbed the back of his head.
"Goodness, you haven't even put on your hood properly," Lois said as she spontaneously adjusted Ray's graduation hood. She shook her head in disbelief. "You're like someone who can't take care of himself."
"I was nervous all night! What was I supposed to do? At least I'm still on time," Ray defended himself with a pout.
"How long are you going to stay shy? Do you want your patients to laugh at you?"
"Who's shy? Don't just say things!"
Devon watched the two of them. He always enjoyed this atmosphere, smiling just like Ray's mother had earlier.
"Sorry to interrupt your debate," Devon said, making them stop and turn toward him. "I just want to remind you both to invite me to your wedding later."
The faces of Ray and Lois instantly turned as red as tomatoes.
"Don't talk nonsense!" they both answered in unison, which was only met by Devon's laughter.
Shortly after, the host on the stage stepped up to the podium and began making an announcement through the microphone.
"All guests and students, please remain orderly. The University of Kansas Graduation, May 18, 2014, is about to begin."
"Whoa, it's starting!" Devon immediately sat facing straight ahead toward the stage. Ray, Lois, and all the graduates did the same.
The opening session proceeded, starting with the welcoming of the chancellor and professors, singing the national anthem, and several announcements delivered by the chancellor regarding the future of the campus and all the graduates from various faculties.
The event lasted until the sun had nearly reached the zenith of the sky. Then came the session for the conferring of degrees for the KU graduates, along with the presentation of diplomas.
Ray looked down. His legs trembled slightly as he sat among hundreds of other graduates. Both his hands were on his thighs, fingers interlaced and moving up and down repeatedly. He felt hot and cold flashes throughout his body, even though he wasn't sick.
What shy person could remain calm after thinking about the moment their name is called, stepping up onto the stage to face a line of professors and scholars, as well as the chancellor who would give a warm welcome?
Moreover, it was witnessed not only by a collection of fellow students but also by all the guests from outside the University of Kansas. They could watch every student called to the stage through the stadium's massive LED screens.
Ray's hand was gently held from the side. Ray turned to Lois, who greeted him with a smile.
A smile full of comfort and peace.
Ray replied with a smile, nodding in gratitude.
"Ray Thomas Davidson"
Finally, the Chancellor of the University of Kansas called Ray's name into the microphone at the podium. Ray stood up from his seat the moment he heard it.
"Congratulations, buddy!" Devon patted his shoulder.
"Wait for us too!" Lois added.
"Thanks, Devon, Lois." Ray nodded.
He exchanged a fist bump with Devon before leaving.
While walking toward the stage, Ray remembered his parents' advice and all the friends who had supported him all this time. His father was right. For someone who values human life, he must first value himself.
Upon reaching the stage, Ray saw the five professors of the Faculty of Medicine standing waiting for him. Each of them carried award attributes for the graduates.
Ray faced the first professor. A medal was placed around his neck, and then they shook hands with smiles on their faces. Then he moved on to the other professors to do the same. One by one, Ray paid his respects to the four other professors, and they presented him with awards.
Ray finally faced the Chancellor of the University of Kansas. This was the part that made him the most nervous. During his time at the university, he had only met the leader of the university in person once or twice. He had once been told that the chancellor had heard much about his achievements and really wanted to meet him, but both were too busy.
"Congratulations, Ray Davidson." The middle-aged woman leading the university presented him with a golden plaque and his diploma. "You are one of the prides of the University of Kansas. Build a very bright future for yourself and for everyone."
"Thank you very much, Ma'am," Ray replied. He bowed and accepted both awards from her.
All the University of Kansas graduates applauded, as did the attendees. Lois and Devon were among them, happy for Ray's achievement.
Ray could also see his parents among the hundreds of attendees in the spectator seats. They applauded him with great joy; Mary was even shedding tears of pride.
This was one of the happiest moments in Ray's life.
At least, that was what he managed to think.
Suddenly, a massive explosion occurred several kilometers outside the stadium, making the ground shake.
The festivity in the stadium shattered instantly. People were shocked and screamed in fear.
"What's happening?!"
The stadium atmosphere became full of panic. All visitors quickly hurried down from their seats. The students also stood up from their chairs on the field, while Ray, along with the chancellor and several professors, remained on the stage with expressions of shock.
They all looked toward a large plume of smoke billowing into the sky. The smoke was so large it could be seen from the stadium field. It was even visible from almost across the entire city of Lawrence.
From within the thick smoke, a giant silhouette began to appear.
The figure walked out of the smoke, revealing its form clearly. Its size was immense, with a height of approximately 50 meters.
The giant creature's entire body was green. It had a bulky chest and muscular arms and legs. There was a pair of horns on its head. Several parts of its body had rows of sharp, spike-like organs.
Its mouth was shaped like a tear in fabric, and its pair of eyes glowed red.
"I am... Vaccine Monster!"
The monster spoke. His voice thundered, deep and resonant, dripping with pure hatred.
"You, humans, are the virus destroying Earth's ecosystem! Exterminating viruses is my duty. To cleanse this planet, I will wipe you all out without any trace!"
"Monsteeer!!!" The citizens of Lawrence fled in terror, desperate to escape the giant creature that called itself the Vaccine Monster.
The appearance of Vaccine Monster shrouded the city in terror. People inside buildings rushed out, seeking safety. Traffic fell into utter chaos. Many vehicles collided, and many drivers simply abandoned their cars just to save their own lives.
On the streets, residents pushed and shoved one another, running blindly without stopping to help those who fell. When human survival instincts are triggered, empathy is often the first thing to vanish.
Vaccine Monster raised his right hand. Five green energy orbs glowed above his palm, hissing with destructive power.
Without hesitation, he hurled them toward a row of buildings. Deafening explosions followed instantly. Massive concrete structures collapsed, burying citizens who had no time to dodge.
Due to the massive disaster unfolding, the commencement ceremony came to a grinding halt. All stadium visitors fled their seats in a frenzy. Most of them swarmed toward the stadium exits.
Meanwhile, some rushed down to the field to find the students, their family members. Richard and Mary were among them, running onto the field in search of Ray.
"Richard! We have to find him, fast!" Mary's anxiety for her son was reaching its breaking point.
"Hold my hand so we don't get separated!" Richard reached out, and his wife grabbed his hand. Together, they ran, pushing through the crowd of people fleeing in the opposite direction.
Ray, on the other hand, had climbed down from the stage and was running among the other graduates. However, Ray was moving in a different direction, frequently colliding with students who were panicking toward the exits.
"Devooon!! Loiiis!!"
Ray screamed his friends' names. He was terrified for them in this chaos. What if they had fallen and were hurt? Or worse, caught under the panicking crowd or stadium debris falling from the tremors caused by the explosions outside?
"Raaay!!"
Before long, Ray's ears caught the faint shouts of his two close friends. He immediately moved toward the source of the voice.
Finally, he spotted them in the middle of a crowd of terrified students. They were both looking around, frantically searching for him.
"Devon!! Lois!!" Ray ran toward them, and their eyes finally locked onto him.
"Ray!" Lois and Devon were flooded with relief. The three of them were finally reunited.
"Thank God you guys are okay!" Ray said.
"Damn it! Does monster have to show up at a time like this?!" Devon vented his frustration.
In his heart, Ray agreed. Why did he and his friends have to face such a catastrophe right when they were celebrating? But then again, this was how the world worked now, ever since the events at the end of last year.
"Our parents must be looking for us!" Lois looked around again, hoping to find her family, or perhaps Devon's or Ray's parents.
"But it's so hard in this crowd and panic..." Ray did the same. He hoped his father and mother were safe too.
He hoped even more that they had already evacuated and were waiting for him outside the stadium.
Unfortunately, the state of Lawrence was already dire. The streets were engulfed in flames. Buildings lay in ruins everywhere. Countless lives had already been lost.
Vaccine Monster's rampage continued. The creature relentlessly hurled energy orbs at anything in his path. Occasionally, he would also tear through buildings with his hands and feet, which were armed with long, sharp claws.
On every highway, tanks from the Kansas Army National Guard had taken their positions. They surrounded the giant monster, firing their cannons repeatedly at him.
Vaccine Monster was hit by a barrage of projectiles from all directions. He let out a groan. His body nearly lost its balance. It seemed the attacks were having an effect.
But it was far from enough. Instead, their efforts only made the creature angrier.
"You damn viruses! Perish!" He created even more energy orbs in both palms, then hurled them at all the tanks.
Every combat vehicle of the Kansas Army was hit by Vaccine Monster's counterattack. No one could hear the screams of the poor soldiers who didn't make it out before their tanks exploded into pieces, along with themselves.
Three attack helicopters circled the Vaccine Monster at what they thought was a safe distance. Each fired its underbelly machine guns while staying on the move to dodge the giant green energy orbs. They didn't realize just how agile he was.
Incensed, Vaccine Monster managed to swat one of the helicopters that was flying lower than the others...
...straight toward the David Booth Memorial Stadium.
The attack helicopter fell at high speed, slamming into the support structure of the giant LED screen at the top of the stands with a deafening crash.
Steel bolts the size of fists were snapped and sent flying. The screen's main support buckled violently before finally succumbing to gravity.
The massive electronic screen, weighing dozens of tons, broke loose and slid down toward the stadium field, right toward where Ray, Lois, and Devon were standing, along with several other students.
Ray and the others noticed the screen coming from above and screamed in terror; many even cried out in resignation.
"Look out!!" Ray's instincts flared.
Adrenaline instantly surged through him. Using both hands, he shoved Lois and Devon forward as hard as he could.
"Whoaa!!" Ray's two friends were startled as their bodies were thrown far forward, tumbling onto the ground.
Ray tried to jump too, but unfortunately, his foot got caught on the leg of another graduate who had fallen behind him. Above him, a giant black shadow blocked out the sky.
The LED screen slammed into the field. The ground shook violently. Dust, electrical sparks, and thick plumes of black smoke instantly engulfed the field.
Lois and Devon struggled to stand, their bodies trembling and their knees scraped. When they looked back, their hearts nearly stopped.
The edge of the giant screen had crushed the area where they had been standing just moments ago.
"RAAAY!!" Lois and Devon ran toward the debris, stumbling as they went.
They found Ray under the edge of the screen. Fortunately for him, the screen had not fallen perfectly flat. The sturdy wooden stage frame and rows of iron chairs beneath it acted as emergency supports, holding up most of the screen's weight and creating a narrow gap a few dozen centimeters high.
Even so, Ray hadn't escaped completely. The heavy edge of the screen pinned his back down to his lower legs, trapping him against the hard ground.
They reached Ray and grabbed the edge of the massive LED screen that pinned him from his legs to his back. Lois and Devon began to exert all their strength to lift the stadium screen.
They weren't the only ones. Other students and visitors were also trying to free friends and family trapped under the screen, though most had already fled for their lives.
Some under the giant screen were lucky like Ray, not completely crushed thanks to the objects supporting the weight around them. However, most were not. Many have lost their lives under the weight of the metal.
Of course, their efforts were in vain. The LED screen was far too heavy to be lifted with bare hands. Those still in the stadium were far too few and lacked the power.
Despite that, they didn't stop trying. Especially Lois and Devon.
"Please, hold on!" Tears streamed down Lois's face as she and Devon struggled to lift the screen. She didn't want to lose the person she loved.
Ray didn't answer. He lay face down, his eyes tightly shut and his face deathly pale. He had lost consciousness from the severe shock and the hard impact to his head when he fell.
In their hearts, they were both angry at Ray for his selflessness. Why did he prioritize them so much? Why did someone as good as him have to suffer such a tragedy?
They were also angry at themselves, feeling helpless to do anything for him after all the kindness he had shown them.
They felt consumed by rage and guilt.
Eventually, they still couldn't move the stadium screen even an inch. They both knelt down, gasping for breath, intending to gather their strength to try again.
Suddenly, Devon and Lois heard a groan beside them.
They turned to Ray and were shocked to see his body begin to move.
Ray was still breathing. His consciousness had returned.
"Ray!" Lois and Devon held his shoulders. They felt an immense sense of relief.
Slowly, Ray lifted his head, looking at his two sobbing friends.
"Lois... Devon..." Ray spoke in a weak voice.
"You idiot!" Devon choked back tears. "I'll never forgive you if you leave us!"
"I... I can't get up," he said as he tried to move his legs. He realized the gravity of his situation after looking back.
"Don't worry. We're trying to get you out!" Lois said, trying to calm him.
The three of them heard a series of explosions from outside the stadium. Through the shattered stadium walls, what they saw in the direction of the chaos made their fear skyrocket.
The giant green monster, still under attack by the Kansas Army, was easily destroying dozens of tanks with its energy orbs. The creature was also much closer to the stadium than before.
"Don't waste your energy on me," Ray urged Devon and Lois. "It's dangerous here. Get out of here, fast!"
"Ray, shut up! Let us help!" Devon started to get irritated by Ray's concern for them. He was moved, but he felt Ray's goodness was too much. "Besides, the UNMC will surely come!"
"Raaay...!"
Someone called Ray's name from a distance. The voice was familiar.
Ray's eyes widened. His suspicion was proven right when he looked forward.
"Mom? Dad?"
He couldn't believe it. Both his parents were still in the stadium, searching for him.
Richard and Mary were now at the edge of the field. They saw Ray pinned under the massive LED screen.
They were horrified by his condition.
"Oh God, Ray!" Mary cried, covering her mouth with both hands.
Richard and Mary immediately moved toward Ray. Nothing was on their minds at that moment except saving their son.
"Hold on, son!" Richard shouted as he ran with Mary.
"Don't come here! Dad! Mom!" Ray screamed, panicked by his parents' recklessness.
On the other side, Vaccine Monster was hit by missiles fired by two attack helicopters from behind. He groaned in pain and nearly fell before regaining his balance.
"Begone, pests!" Vaccine Monster created several energy orbs from his right palm.
He turned and simultaneously launched the energy orbs at the two helicopters that had just fired at him.
Unable to dodge in time, the tails of both helicopters were hit and exploded, sending them spinning into a crash.
One energy orb that missed the helicopters continued to travel at high speed through the air, heading straight for the stadium.
The attack streaked toward the side of the field exactly where Richard and Mary were.
The energy orb fell near them and exploded violently, like a bomb dropped from the sky.
Ray could not believe what he had just witnessed. He refused to believe it.
He prayed to God to wake him from this nightmare. But reality said otherwise.
Lois and Devon's reactions were no different. Devon clenched his teeth tightly, bowing his head with his eyes closed, unable to accept what he had just seen. And Lois, so shocked, wept while covering her mouth with both hands.
Ray clenched both fists. His heart was shattered into pieces. Tears began to flow heavily down his cheeks.
"NOOOO...!!!"
・・・
"Davidson!"
Ray's eyes snap open the moment he hears Captain Kirkman's bark. The voice pulls him back to reality by force.
The interior of the military transport plane is filled with soldiers in OCP camouflage uniforms, patterned in leaf green and desert yellow. They sit in rows of red nylon seats, clutching their firearms tightly. Ray is one of them.
Captain Kirkman stands right in front of him, staring intensely at Ray, who is still dazed after being abruptly woken up.
"How long are you going to sleep, Soldier?! We have a big son of a bitch to exterminate!" the captain reprimands.
"S—sorry, Sir!" Ray answers quickly, straightening his posture.
Daily life as a member of the United States Army is indeed exhausting, but Ray always tries to keep himself from falling asleep. It isn't because he fears being scolded; he just doesn't want to be carried back into that dream again.
More precisely, he doesn't want to remember that dark memory, the tragedy that changed the course of his life until now. Over and over, those visions of the past have replayed in his sleep like a broken tape.
"We are reaching Chicago," the pilot's voice informs from the cockpit. "Estimated time of arrival: three minutes to the battlefield!"
"You hear that, boys?! Gear up!" Kirkman orders.
The soldiers immediately put on their parachute rucksacks and don their combat helmets equipped with communication headsets. The cabin atmosphere, which was once quiet, turns boisterous with the sound of weapons cocking and ammunition checks.
Ray stands up, straightening the medical gear he always carries alongside his weapon. Once finished, he and the other soldiers line up facing the rear cargo door.
"Listen up!" Captain Kirkman gives the final briefing. "Local police reports say this monster is made of rocks. They've tried using grenades, and of course, they weren't effective."
It is no surprise to the world's militaries that small-caliber weapons are rarely effective against monsters. These creatures are anomalies that are impossible for ordinary police to handle.
"We need heavy artillery to take it down," the captain continues. "Our task is to hold it back until the howitzer unit reaches its position. This monster is reported to be very agile despite having a weight equivalent to a dozen elephants. Understood?!"
"Yes, Sir!" the soldiers answer in unison.
"Estimated arrival time: fifty seconds!" the pilot instructs again. "Target in sight!"
Upon hearing this, Ray and the other soldiers stand up from their seats. They grab their respective parachute bags and put on their oxygen masks.
The C-130 Hercules cargo plane shakes violently amidst Chicago's cumulonimbus clouds. Inside the dim cabin, a red light glows, reflecting off the oxygen mask covering Ray's face. As a combat medic, he ensures his M-9 medical bag is tightly secured to his right thigh with extra safety straps.
"One minute to the jump point!" Kirkman shouts through the helmet communication system.
Ray checks the Digital Altimeter on his left wrist. The numbers show 15,000 feet. His heart beats fast, pumping adrenaline throughout his body.
In front of him, the cargo door slowly opens, swallowing the darkness of the sky with a roar of the engines that is deafening to the ears. Even while wearing a mask, Ray can feel the cold blast of high-altitude wind sweeping across his face.
Ray reflects for a moment. Flashes of the struggle he has endured over the last ten years cross his mind.
He ponders, how a cheerful boy who disliked violence and dreamed of becoming a doctor, ended up as a soldier ready to die whenever needed.
But he cannot turn back. He doesn't want to. Not after what the world took from him. He has chosen this path with firm resolve.
If it is for the sake of saving innocent lives, then he is willing to give his own life.
"Alright, Team. Time to save the day!" Captain Kirkman commands. "Jump! Jump! Jump!"
The captain leaps, free-falling toward the burning city.
Ray takes a deep breath, planting a sense of justice in his chest. He steps quickly to the edge of the iron abyss and throws himself into the air along with all his teammates.
His world instantly turns into a whirlpool of freezing cold wind. In a stable falling position, he sees Chicago, which appears utterly devastated. Dozens of buildings are in ruins, and a large-statured creature seems busy tearing down the remaining intact structures with its stone hands.
His eyes are fixed on the Altimeter.
8,000... 5,000... 3,500...
At an altitude of 3,000 feet, Ray and the others pull the main parachute rip cords.
A violent jerk pulls at his shoulders as the square canopy deploys perfectly. They control the parachute steering, maneuvering between buildings whose peaks have been destroyed, before finally landing with a side-rolling technique exactly as their feet touch the cracked asphalt of South Michigan Avenue.
About fifty meters ahead, the monster is feasting on the destruction. A number of military police lie helpless in various corners of the area. Most of them are still conscious, but covered in dust and wounds.
"Hahaha! You miserable little humans!" The monster's voice thunders like a mountain of falling rocks. "I, Rock Monster, am part of this earth. And you are just parasites that must be scraped away!"
Its entire body consists of clumps of rock, a figure that is the embodiment of a nightmare made of basalt and granite. It stands as tall as a single-story building, but its body is incredibly wide with a back resembling an uneven shell. Its two massive hands look like giant stone sledgehammers. A pair of purple eyes glow behind the cracks in its face, radiating an aura of pure hatred.
"My God, look at that thing!" Dre, one of the Armed Forces soldiers, says in sheer horror. "That thing looks like a freakin' Golem from those fantasy stories."
"Everyone! Take positions behind the debris and car wrecks!" Kirkman orders while unleashing a volley of fire from his assault rifle. "Bait that monster! Keep your distance until that howitzer unit arrives!"
All soldiers scramble to the shattered rocks and ruined vehicles for cover while firing their rifles at the monster. Ray runs in a crouch behind the remains of an overturned city bus. He takes a deep breath, aims, and fires.
The 5.56mm bullets from the soldiers only spark as they hit the hard stone skin, barely making any impact.
Rock Monster turns and spots them firing incessantly at it.
"Huh? More tiny pests, I see!" it begins to charge forward like a gorilla. "Utterly futile!"
"WATCH OUT!" the soldiers scream and scatter as far as possible from their positions just before Rock Monster arrives and slams its giant fist into the ground where they just stood.
The asphalt explodes, hurling concrete slabs the size of cars in every direction.
"AAAGH!" Three soldiers are blown back by the shockwave of the ground strike.
"Keep firing!!" another soldier shouts, continuing to shoot along with the rest of the squad.
Rock Monster roars, a sound like two granite cliffs grinding together. It moves with unexpected speed for its massive size. Each time it leaps, the ground beneath him cracks several centimeters deep.
"Spread out! Don't bunch up!" Captain Kirkman shouts over the radio.
The monster lunges toward a group of soldiers on the left. It swings his stone arm in a sweeping horizontal motion. The soldiers quickly dive and roll under car wrecks just before the monster's fist smashes a concrete pillar into pieces. White dust billows, obscuring vision, but the muzzle flashes from the soldiers' weapons remain visible through the fog, trying to aim at the gaps in the monster's joints or eyes.
Some unlucky soldiers are thrown by the shockwaves every time the Rock Monster slams its fists into the asphalt. The ground feels like an ocean wave, tossing human bodies like ragdolls.
"Grrr... You're annoying!" Fed up with the constant gunfire, Rock Monster stops chasing.
It bends its knees, making its shell-like back vibrate violently. The cracks on its shell glow with a pulsating purple light.
"He's about to do something!" Troy, one of the soldiers, warns the others. "Take cover!"
A dozen oblong stones the size of gas canisters launch from the monster's shell-like back. All the projectiles soar high into the sky, leaving trails of dust, before diving sharply toward the soldiers' positions like ballistic missiles.
"Get doooown!!" Captain Kirkman screams.
Explosions erupt everywhere as the large stone missiles fall from the sky, hitting the ground in rapid succession with immense force.
The Armed Forces soldiers run in panic, trying to save themselves. Those unfortunate enough to be near the point of impact are hurled away, severely injured.
Some soldiers jump near vehicle wrecks for cover. Others hide behind piles of concrete from destroyed buildings, though some are not strong enough to withstand the blast of the asphalt and are swept away along with the debris.
Emil, one of the soldiers, tries to leap behind a pile of rubble. However, a large stone hits the ground right next to him. The explosion hurls Emil's body into the air, making him spin before landing hard, his left arm hitting a sharp corner of the rocks.
"AAAGH!" Emil's scream is drowned out by the next explosion.
Ray, who is a few meters away from Emil, sees his comrade lying helpless. Ignoring the rain of stones still falling, Ray runs in a zig-zag, leaping over holes in the street. He grabs Emil's collar and drags him into a narrow alleyway between two buildings that are still standing firm.
"Hang on, Emil! Look at me!" Ray immediately checks his comrade's condition.
Emil's left arm is swollen in an awkward position. The bone is broken. Ray quickly pulls out a SAM Splint, a thin sheet of foam with a flexible aluminum core. He shapes the splint to follow the contour of Emil's arm, supporting it so the broken bone doesn't move and damage nerve tissue.
With steady hands despite the pressure of war, Ray wraps it tightly with an elastic bandage.
"I owe you one, Ray," says Emil, feeling a debt of gratitude.
"You'll be fine. Stay here, don't move!" Ray says firmly while treating him.
Right then, from a distance, the heavy rumble of diesel engines breaks through the noise. Several soldiers turn toward the sound, instantly smiling with relief and shouting to their comrades.
"They're here!"
Hope arrives from behind a dust-covered corner. A tactical convoy appears. Four armored Humvees lead the way, plowing through the rubble at high speed.
Behind them, two massive MTVR tactical trucks follow, each towing one of the most powerful weapons on land. Two M777 Howitzers.
"Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta Teams! Form a perimeter! Distract that big bastard away from the artillery unit!" a soldier from one of the Humvees commands the others.
The four Humvees immediately scatter. They don't stop at one point but keep moving in a circle around the monster at a safe distance of about a hundred meters.
The heavy thud of Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns fills the air. Bullets the size of an adult's thumb are spat out simultaneously from all four vehicles.
For Rock Monster, if the fires from assault rifle of Captain Kirkman's team was like mosquito bites, these .50 caliber rounds are hornet stings. The impact cracks the outer layer of the monster's stone skin, creating sparks and flying stone fragments.
Rock Monster roars in annoyance. It raises its arms to protect his face from the rain of hot lead.
"GRAAAH! Noisy creatures!"
The monster tries to hurl chunks of asphalt at the Humvee on the left, but the driver deftly swerves, avoiding the lethal throw in a matter of seconds.
While the monster is busy dealing with the "iron flies" bothering it, the artillery crew behind works with adrenaline-pumping speed. The MTVR trucks slam on their brakes. The crew leaps down, unhitching the tow, and lowering the spades of the M777 cannons into the asphalt so the recoil doesn't throw them backward.
Ray, who has just finished binding Emil's arm, watches the scene with bated breath. That is Direct Fire, a technique of firing directly in a horizontal line. It is very rare for modern artillery unless in a desperate emergency.
"Gun One ready!"
"Gun Two ready!"
The preparation for both M777 Howitzers is complete. The artillery unit soldiers have set the stakes for each giant cannon and aimed their muzzles directly at the monster's chest.
"Target locked! Range 200 meters! Destroy him!"
BOOM!!!
Two booms occur almost simultaneously. The shockwave is so powerful it shatters the windows of the surrounding buildings.
Two 155-millimeter High Explosive projectiles streak faster than sound. The hit is unavoidable. Rock Monster's chest and left shoulder are struck point-blank.
A massive explosion occurs. It isn't just fire, but pure kinetic energy hitting the giant monster's body. The basalt rock structure composing its body cannot withstand the pressure of millions of pascals. The monster's upper body shatters into pieces, exploding into a rain of gravel and dusts.
The remains of its lower body stagger backward before collapsing onto a two-story shophouse, leveling it to the ground.
"Target destroyed! Good shot!" the artillery crew shouts while high-fiving.
Ray exhales in relief, wiping sweat mixed with dust from his forehead. All the Armed Forces soldiers still standing cheer loudly.
However, the joy is premature.
In the middle of the pile of the monster's body rubble, a purple light begins to glow. At first dim, then growing blindingly bright.
The ground vibrates. The stones scattered on the street, pieces of sidewalk, fragments of buildings, even the remains of his own body, begin to move as if they have a life of their own, drawn back to the center of that light.
"What on earth is that...?!" Troy's eyes widen in disbelief. The other soldiers react the same way.
In just five seconds, the Rock Monster's entire body has reconstructed itself as it was before. And this time, he looks slightly larger.
"How... dare... YOOOU!!!"
The monster's roar is accompanied by a shockwave that makes the soldiers cover their ears.
That creature is no longer slow. With overflowing rage, it leaps far forward, soaring over the line of Humvees, and lands right on the position of the artillery unit that isn't ready to fire again.
"Ah! NOOO!!" all the howitzer unit soldiers scream as they see the Rock Monster jumping toward them.
They start running away, but the monster has already landed hard. One stomp of its foot crushes an MTVR truck and the first M777 cannon into flat sheets of iron.
Some of the crew are blown back by the gust of wind from the landing. Others, who are near the MTVR and the howitzer, vanish instantly beneath the tonnage of the living stone.
Rock Monster then swings its giant hand sideways, hitting the second M777 cannon until it is thrown and slams into a building wall, bent out of shape.
"Fall back! Everyone fall back!" Captain Kirkman shouts in panic. Their formation is completely shattered.
In the midst of the smoke and destruction, the gunners atop the four remaining Humvees refuse to give up. The Browning M2 heavy machine guns spit out .50 caliber rounds without stopping. Thousands of hot shells fall to the floor of the vehicles, creating a clinking sound drowned out by the monster's roar.
However, their efforts are in vain. The bullets only bounce off the stone skin, which is now harder and thicker, no different than throwing pebbles at a steel wall.
"Enough playing around!" Rock Monster snorts, annoyed by those small stings.
With a terrifying arm movement, the monster sweeps two Humvees on the left side as if they were merely plastic toys.
Both armored vehicles, weighing over two tons, are sent tumbling, spinning in the air before hitting the asphalt upside down.
"AAAH!!" the soldiers inside are thrown out, rolling onto the debris-filled street with bruised and bleeding bodies.
The monster then turns toward the other two Humvees. It stomps its foot on the ground, sending a shockwave that makes the asphalt crack and lift. The remaining Humvees lose balance, their tires burst, and the gunners in the turrets stagger and fall.
The soldiers who are still conscious try to crawl back, their weapons aimed with trembling hands. They wait for the final strike. Death is before their eyes.
However, the blow never comes.
The Rock Monster suddenly stops. His body goes rigid.
It lifts his massive head, sniffing the air filled with gunpowder dust. Its pair of purple eyes glow brighter, staring intensely toward the south of the city.
"There they are," Rock Monster says. "The source of fear I've been looking for!"
It senses something far more delicious than the anger of these soldiers. Ignoring them any longer, the Rock Monster turns and begins to run. Its heavy footsteps leave a trail of destruction at every stride, heading toward the city center, ignoring the soldiers' gunfire.
"It... it's leaving?" asks a soldier, Timothy, gasping for breath. He is confused because his life was spared.
"Why is it running?" another soldier continues.
The gaze of all the US Armed Forces soldiers follows the monster's direction.
In the corners of the shattered streets, some Chicago military police who were previously unconscious from the monster's first strike begin to wake up. Moans of pain are heard amidst the exhaust smoke and concrete dust.
"Hey, hang in there!" Ray rushes toward one of the military police officers trying to sit up while clutching his bleeding head.
Ray, Dre, Troy, and several other Armed Forces soldiers quickly help them sit up. The police officers' bodies are covered in thick dust, their uniforms tattered from scraping against the asphalt.
"Don't... don't let the monster through..." says one of the military police with a rasping breath as Ray supports him. "A massive evacuation... is underway at the south pier..."
Hearing that, all the soldiers' eyes widen. They finally realize where the Rock Monster is heading.
"Shit! Of course, that thing is heading for Navy Pier!" Dre exclaims, his face pale. "Monsters are drawn to crowded life!"
Ray's heart feels like it stops beating. Memories of Kansas ten years ago hit him like a hammer, the image of people running without protection, right before the monster destroyed everything.
This happens every time he sees a monster attacking a city.
And now, thousands of Chicago lives are in danger!
Without a second thought, he runs fast, charging through the obstacles of rubble ahead. His gaze is locked on the Rock Monster's retreating back.
"Davidson! Don't be reckless! We have to regroup!" Captain Kirkman shouts, his voice hoarse with anger.
"I'm very sorry, Captain! There's no much time!" Ray shouts back while continuing to run toward the only Humvee still standing upright in the middle of the road.
"Goddammit! Stop! That's an order!"
The captain reprimands him, but Ray ignores the shout. He reaches the Humvee, its engine still roaring low as if challenging death.
Ray jumps into the driver's seat, slams the door, and floored the accelerator. The military vehicle speeds forward, leaving burn marks on the asphalt of South Michigan Avenue.
Emil, who has managed to stand up and walk with a slight limp, joins the other soldiers standing and watching Ray leave. "Well, he's doing it again."
"That stubborn brat!" Kirkman curses while slamming his hand onto the hood of another destroyed car. His face tenses with a mix of annoyance and deep concern.
The Captain and his team are used to Ray's character, who always ignoring orders from the captain or other superiors in situations like this. But they are also respect that and inspired by the man's selfless attitude. Especially Captain Kirkman, who feels a particular sense of pride in him.
"Everyone, get into the remaining vehicles!" Captain Kirkman tells his team. "Don't let our medic die alone!"
However, just as the soldiers are about to move, a giant shadow streaks rapidly over their heads.
The sound of a powerful turbine engine tears through the air, creating a gust of wind that sends dust flying wildly.
A sleek, metallic blue VTOL fighter jet passes by at high speed. The aircraft maneuvers gracefully between the tall buildings, heading straight in the same direction as Ray and the monster.
All the US Armed Forces soldiers look up in awe, their movements frozen. Their eyes squint, trying to catch the details on the tail of the futuristic fighter jet. As the jet flies lower, the sunlight reflects the logo painted clearly there.
An elegant, pitch-black circle with a world map and majestic golden olive branches.
Kirkman is breathless, his voice suddenly quiet.
"So, they're here too."