Three more rats squeezed through the opening and landed heavily on the floor, their yellow teeth snapping as they coordinated an attack from multiple angles.Bastian gripped his knife tightly, knowing the thin culinary instrument was never designed for this kind of brutal and sustained combat.He watched the three rodents spread out to encircle him, their red eyes glowing in the dim light of the dining room as they prepared to rush his position.Just as the trio of mutated creatures coiled their muscles to launch themselves at his legs, a familiar and bright blue digital screen flashed directly across his field of vision.The translucent interface flooded his eyes with sudden light, momentarily blinding him to the dark shapes scurrying across the checkered floor.[LEVEL UP,] the system announced in bold white letters that seemed to pulse in perfect time with his racing heartbeat.Bastian barely had time to process the surprising notification before the screen shifted and displayed a s