Chapter 21
The Meteorborn let out a distorted snarl, thrashing, but the ice held strong, steam hissing violently where the fire met frost.
A tall figure emerged through the smoke. Cloaked in black and wearing a face mask. His hand was outstretched, frost still drifting from his fingertips.
The masked man turned slightly, “Kill it, now! It won’t stay frozen for long!” Dıscover more novels at
Theo didn’t hesitate. He gripped his axe and charged forward, heart pounding, energy pulsing from his system. The Meteorborn screeched, flames flaring again from its chest. But Theo swung the axe in a clean, brutal arc, cleaving through the glowing ribs.
CRACK!
The axe sank deep and the heart pulsing behind the bone shattered in a burst of fiery embers.
The Meteorborn went limp, its flames flickering out.
As the Meteorborn Pyre let out its final screech and collapsed, a deep rumble resonated from its chest.
[DING! Meteorborn Pyre eliminated]
[Ding! +10,000 EXP, +1,000 Gold Coins]
[System Alert: Host is now eligible for Ability and Power Extraction p>
[Would you like to proceed with the extraction? YES / NO]
‘Of course, YES.’ Theo quickly thought.
[Initiating Meteorite Core Absorption p>
[Extraction complete. New ability and power acquired p>
He quickly checked the details of the new ability and power he acquired.
[You have acquired: Pyreflame Heart Meteorite Core.
Fire and heat resistance greatly increased. Flame control and manipulation unlocked]
[Unlocked Skills:
Ember Step – Instantly dash forward in a burst of fire
Fire Lure – Summon flame-based constructs to deceive or distract
Pyre Burst – Release a short-range explosive wave of fire
Ignite Form – Temporarily boost speed and damage output
[Warning: Prolonged use may cause overheating.
Tip: Increase Mutation Sync to enhance control and duration p>
Theo staggered slightly as intense heat exploded inside his chest, the power of the meteorite core fusing with his own. For a brief second, his skin glowed with red-orange veins, like magma running through him.
‘T-This power… it’s insane he thought, catching his breath.
The fire obeyed him now. He clenched his fists, feeling it swirl at his fingertips. He had become the flame.
‘I have to hurry to the fifteenth floor,’ Theo thought. With the new power he gained, he felt
He turned and let out a breath of relief when he saw the soldiers had successfully taken down the other Meteorborn Pyre, the one without an active core.
Meeting Sergeant Jones’s eyes, Theo said firmly, “I’ll go ahead to the fifteenth floor. I’ll meet you halfway once I’ve cleared the path p>
He didn’t wait for a response. He sprinted toward the fire exit and began climbing the stairs.
By the time he reached the fifteenth floor, sweat was dripping down his face and soaking through his shirt.
His mother was in the ICU, located on the far side of the wing. To reach her, he would need to cross two long hallways.
Theo gritted his teeth as he stepped into the corridor of the fifteenth floor. The smell hit him first, burnt flesh and chemicals lingering in the air. Then came the sound: low, guttural groans, followed by dragging footsteps.
Meteorborn Infectees.
They turned the corner, stumbling into view. A nurse, twisted and mutated, her eyes glowing dimly, and skin flaking. Behind her, two more infected, one missing half its face, the other with molten blisters pulsing across its arms.
Theo raised his axe. He acquired a few more weapons but this axe was more suitable for him at this moment. With a grunt, he dashed forward, using Flame Step, instantly propelling himself forward in a short burst of fire. The ground beneath him scorched as he closed the gap. He swung his axe downward in a clean arc.
CRACK!
Splitting the lead Infectee’s skull with precision, it dropped without a sound.
[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]
The second lunged at him, but Theo was already moving. He twisted and brought the axe low, sweeping its legs out from under it. Before it could recover, he spun and buried the blade in its head with a powerful growl.
[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]
The third came at him, arms swinging wildly.
[Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin]
It was much easier for Theo to kill the Meteorborn Infectees now. He quickly cleared the first wing with minimal effort, fortunately, they were only basic Infectees this time.
He stopped by the staff pantry, grabbed a bottle of water, and drank deeply. Then he noticed a few untouched sandwiches still wrapped on the counter. Without hesitation, he devoured them to replenish his strength. He was still human, after all… he needed food and water to keep going.
Refuelled, he resumed his advance, cutting down more MB Infectees that blocked his path to the ICU. His axe swung with sharp precision, and his body moved with newfound speed, powered by the ability he had recently absorbed.
But as he pushed forward, a strange unease crept in. ‘Something’s not right,’ Theo thought, frowning. He had been checking every room along the way, yet he hadn’t seen a single survivor.
Most of the MB Infectees he encountered wore hospital uniforms, nurses, doctors, and even security staff, while others wore civilian clothes. Yet, no patients. None.
The eerie silence in the rooms made his skin crawl. ‘Where was everyone p>
Panting, Theo paused, gripping the axe tightly. His heart thundered in his chest, but his eyes burned with focus. “Just a little farther,” he whispered to himself, forcing his legs to move.
He rushed through the first hallway. Lights above flickered, some shattered entirely. The emergency alarm buzzed faintly in the background, giving the whole place an eerie hum. As he turned the corner into the second hallway, another pack of MB Infectees surged out of a side room.
“Damn it!” he cursed, spinning into motion.
This time, he fought harder, dirtier. He ducked a swipe, used Flame Step to shoot behind them, and struck fast. The axe whirled in wide, brutal arcs, catching flesh and bone. Sparks flew as metal scraped the walls, and bodies dropped one by one, burned or broken.
By the time he was done, the hall was painted in blood. Theo leaned against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve.
Just ahead was the sign for the ICU. He pushed off the wall and moved quickly. He reached for the door.
Thud!
Suddenly his body hit the ground hard. His fingers twitched, trying to tighten around his weapon, but they wouldn’t obey. His limbs felt like dead weight. His vision blurred before everything faded to darkness.