Chapter 147: Night Monster, Night Rat

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Night Monster, Night Rat

Seraphina Sullivan no longer hesitated. Focusing her mind, she summoned the system’s quest panel.

A translucent blue screen unfolded before her, clearly displaying three quests:

[Main Quest 1: Survive for seven days in the Dark Apocalypse Dungeon]

Quest Reward: Return to Reality

[Main Quest 2: Find a survival Shelter!]

Quest Reward: Shelter Identification

[Side Quest 1: Collect blood from ten types of night monsters]

Quest Reward: Medicine Gift Package

’Two main quests, one side quest...’ Seraphina Sullivan’s eyes scanned each quest description, her mind racing to extract the key information.

’Surviving for seven days is the basic requirement. And the second main quest... "Find a survival Shelter," and the reward is "Shelter Identification"?’

She grasped the key point.

’This suggests the apocalyptic world isn’t entirely lawless. There must be some kind of orderly human outpost. The Shelter... it might be the last ember of this world’s civilization.’

Her gaze finally fell upon the side quest.

’Collect blood from ten types of... night monsters?’

She repeated the words softly, her tone growing heavy. ’The number "ten" implies there are at least ten different types of monsters active in this darkness-shrouded world... And the system specifically stressed "night" monsters.’

Combining this with her earlier observations of the environment, a preliminary picture of this apocalypse began to form in Seraphina Sullivan’s mind.

A world that had lost the light, plunged into eternal night. Humanity cowered in a few Shelters, while the vast darkness was roamed by a plethora of terrifying monsters that depended on it to survive.

’It seems the real danger and challenges are hidden within this endless darkness.’

She raised her head and looked through her Analysis Glasses at the suffocating blackness outside the window, tightening her grip on her weapon.

Sean Chandler, who had remained on high alert at her side, suddenly went rigid. In a hushed, urgent voice, he said, "Movement!"

Seraphina Sullivan tensed, immediately following his gaze.

In the darkness, a faint, bestial glint flashed in Sean Chandler’s eyes. It was from his Beastification Ability, which gave him feline pupils and dark vision rivaling the [Night Vision Mode] of Seraphina Sullivan’s Analysis Glasses.

About thirty meters in front of them, next to the ruins of a collapsed wall, a massive silhouette was slowly stirring.

When it fully emerged, Seraphina Sullivan couldn’t help but hold her breath.

It was a giant rat, its body the size of a large dog!

It was nearly a meter long, its entire body covered in filthy, matted, grayish-black fur as stiff as steel needles.

Its appearance was horrifying, as if it had undergone some kind of cruel Evolution.

Its head was enormous, and its crimson eyes glinted with a violent, bloodthirsty light.

What stood out most were its exposed yellow incisors, which dripped with slime. They were like two curved chisels and looked capable of easily gnawing through steel plate.

Its forelimbs were unusually thick, ending in glistening black claws. Each one was like a sharp sickle. As they scraped unconsciously against the ground, they left deep, white scratches in the concrete.

’Eye of Resume!’

[Name: Night Rat]

[Gender: Male]

[Professional Skills: Razor Claws: Possesses incredibly sharp claws with exceptional digging and destructive capabilities.]

[Weaknesses: Activity is drastically reduced in low-temperature environments, causing sluggish movement. Fears the cold.]

The information flooded into her mind in an instant.

’Just one, we can handle it,’ Seraphina Sullivan thought, her voice tight when she whispered the rest, "But if they form a swarm..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but both of them saw the giant rat casually rake its claws across a half-meter-wide block of concrete rubble, as if to sharpen them.

With a cringe-inducing CRUNCH, the hard block of stone crumbled like soft cheese under its claws, easily torn to pieces!

This terrifying destructive power sent a chill down both their spines.

It was impossible to imagine what would happen if dozens, or even hundreds, of these creatures started digging outside a Shelter’s walls simultaneously. Even the most solid defenses would likely be breached in no time.

However, in the brief moment Seraphina Sullivan was analyzing the information, the Night Rat, which had been sharpening its claws, suddenly froze.

Its enormous head snapped up. Its nose twitched twice in the air, and then its red eyes, full of violent Aura, locked onto Seraphina Sullivan and Sean Chandler’s hiding spot!

The moment its eyes met theirs, a low, threatening growl rumbled in the giant rat’s throat. It lowered its body, the powerful muscles in its hind legs tensing into an obvious attack stance.

’Not good!’

Sean Chandler growled under his breath.

"We’ve been spotted!"

Though startled by the charging Night Rat, Seraphina Sullivan remained composed.

She had yet to use her [Worker] Talent to awaken a Profession in this dungeon, but now was not the time to worry about that.

With a thought, the air in front of her shimmered, and two figures flashed into existence.

Seraphina Sullivan had summoned Flora and Moe from the farm.

"Flora, bind it!"

Flora let out a cheerful yet bloodthirsty RUSTLE. Several thick, dark-green vines shot out like venomous snakes, whistling through the air before striking the giant rat’s side with vicious precision!

SMACK!

With a sharp crack, the giant rat’s charge was brought to a dead stop. It let out a pained shriek as the immense force of the blow sent its massive body tumbling into the nearby ruins, kicking up a cloud of dust.

At almost the same instant, the Imp, Moe, hovered in mid-air. A dreadful, sickly green light began to gather in its wicked eyes.

Petrifying Light!

ZAP—!

Two deadly green beams erupted from Moe’s eyes, instantly striking the snarling Night Rat as it scrambled back to its feet.

The giant rat’s body stiffened visibly. Starting from where the beams hit, a grayish-white, stony texture spread rapidly. In just one or two seconds, the terrifying, living beast was completely transformed into a stone statue, frozen in a pouncing posture. Even the ferocious snarl on its face was perfectly preserved.

Staring at the statue before her, Seraphina Sullivan belatedly remembered the side quest.

"Ugh... the blood..." She pressed a hand to her forehead. ’The goal of collecting blood obviously conflicts with a Petrification ending.’

But then she looked up and saw Flora waving its vines, its enormous flower head swaying back and forth as if showing off and asking for praise.

Nearby, Moe floated back to her side, its little arms crossed over its chest. Its chin was raised slightly, and it wore a proud, sinister smile—the kind unique to an Imp that was clearly expecting to be praised.

Seraphina Sullivan’s trace of frustration instantly vanished, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

"You both did wonderfully!" she praised sincerely.

Flora’s massive Cannibal Flower maw split open, revealing rows of densely packed, sharp teeth. Its smile was... particularly unsettling.

The sinister smile on Moe’s face grew even wider, and the surrounding temperature seemed to drop another two degrees.

Seraphina Sullivan: "..."

’Alright, so her kids have a unique style. She could accept that.’

’Oh well. I’ll worry about collecting the blood the next time we encounter a monster.’