The Caffeine System: Critical Heart Protocol

Chapter 7: Parkour or Fall

'Run away, you idiot!'

Raka's brain commanded his legs to run. However, his muscles refused, and he froze in place. He could only stare in horror as the creature dragged the rest of his body up onto the roof. The creature lowered its body to cling to the corrugated iron surface, its long arms and legs stretched out like a spider's.

Baginda, who had been silent until now, finally let out a low, sharp "quack." His voice sounded like an arrogant warning. He stepped forward and positioned himself between Raka and the new threat.

“Baginda, be careful!” Raka whispered. “That creature seems… different.”

The System Panel lit up on his retina, reading his thoughts just now.

[Warning: 'Crawler' type Sleeper variant detected.] 

[Attributes: Agility A+, Strength D. Highly sensitive to vibrations and low frequency sounds.]

'No wonder,' Raka thought again.

He still couldn't or wouldn't make a sound hoping that by doing so, Crawler would leave him.

The crawler hissed softly and then shot forward. Its movement was so fast that it resembled a blurry black shadow. Raka didn't even have time to scream as the creature lunged. Not at Baginda, but directly at him.

This time, Baginda saved him. Again. With a powerful flap of his wings, he leaped sideways to slam his body into Raka, pushing him out of the Crawler's path. Raka fell tumbling onto the hot roof.

The Crawler's attack missed, its claws scraping the roof with a deafening screech.

SKRRIIIIIT!

The sound proved to be a fatal mistake. In the distance, several other Crawler heads emerged from the rooftops of the buildings across the street. They had been attracted by the high-frequency sound.

“Baginda, we have to get out of here! Now!” shouted Raka, finally finding his voice. He struggled to his feet.

He didn't wait for Baginda's answer. He began running along the roof, jumping over ventilation pipes and dangling cables. Baginda flew low beside him. The swan moved effortlessly, without exerting any effort at all.

Behind them, the Crawlers began to give chase. They crawled at a terrifying speed, their bodies clinging to the surface, weaving between obstacles with the agility of insects.

Raka had reached the edge of the rooftop. Before him lay a three-meter-wide gap separating him from the roof of the neighboring building. Beneath the gap lay the darkness of a narrow alley three stories below.

Raka stopped at the edge. His knees felt like jelly. "No, no, no."

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He hated heights. Even standing on the second-floor balcony made his stomach churn.

“I can’t,” he muttered. His voice trembled with fear. “I can’t jump.”

Behind him, the sound of the Crawlers' scratching grew closer. Baginda finally landed gracefully beside him. The swan stared at him impatiently.

[High levels of stress and doubt detected,] a notification appears.

[The system offers assistance: 'Auto-Pathing' feature.] 

[Description: The system will take over your motor functions to perform one acrobatic move with a 100% success guarantee.] 

[Price: 1 Hour of Remaining Life.]

Raka's eyes widened. "Cut off my remaining lifespan? Are you crazy?! I don't want to. I'd rather fall!"

[Die from falling? That's your choice, Host,] the System replied coldly.

[Fall in embarrassing fashion or live an hour shorter but the landing is stylish. Netizens definitely appreciate the second option.]

“Fuck Netizens!”

The sound of scratching was now behind him. Raka turned. The lead crawler was only a few meters away. There was no time left.

Refusing the System's offer was the only act of rebellion he could muster. With a scream that sounded more like a terrified scream, Raka took a running start and jumped.

He used all his strength. The wind whistled in his ears as he flew. The rooftop across the street seemed so close to him. But it was much further away than he had imagined.

“Aahhh, no!” Raka screamed in horror. He was scared to death.

His outstretched fingers failed to reach the edge of the roof. His body fell. In panic, his hands instinctively grabbed for anything within reach.

CRACK!

His grip caught a rusty zinc gutter. His body jerked. Raka felt like his shoulder was about to dislocate. He was now hanging on the edge of death. The bolts holding the gutter together rattled.

Above him, Baginda landed perfectly on the edge of the roof, gazing down at Raka, who was dangling below him. The Crawlers stopped on the opposite edge of the roof, hesitating to jump.

Raka looked up at Baginda who just stared at him as if to say, 'What's wrong with you?'

“Help me, you idiot! Don’t just watch!” Raka shouted, his arms starting to tremble from supporting his weight.

His Majesty tilted his head. Then he craned his neck down and did something completely unexpected.

TOK!

His beak pecked the back of Raka's hand hard.

“OW!” Raka nearly let go of his grip, shocked and hurt at the same time. “Damn bird! Do you want me to fall?! Do you want me to die?!”

Knock! Knock!

Baginda pecked him again. This time, his pecks were faster and harder, making Raka growl in frustration, as the swan wasn't helping him at all.

“OK! OK! I’M GOING UP! I WANT TO CLIMB!”

Raka began to pull himself up. The fear that had paralyzed him was now replaced by adrenaline fueled by the pain of Baginda's stab and anger at the system. He could feel his heart pounding so hard it hurt.

[BPM: 190… 200… 210!] 

[Warning: Adrenaline Overload Activates Passive Skill: 'Panic Rush'!] 

[Effect: Instantly increases strength and speed by 50% for 5 seconds.]

An unexpected new strength flooded his muscles. His previously trembling arms now felt as strong as steel.

With a loud, powerful growl, Raka swung his leg upward. He kicked the wall and pushed his entire body over the edge of the roof.

He rolled onto the roof, gasping for breath, his chest burning.

“I… made it.” Raka gasped. “I… survived.” He added.

He stared at his hands which were red from Baginda's pecks with hatred. The effects of the 'Panic Rush' wore off as quickly as they came, leaving him utterly exhausted. He lay there, staring up at the darkening orange sky.

"Annoying goose," he grumbled then rubbed his hand which felt very sore from being pecked by Baginda.

After a few moments, he forced himself to his feet. This roof was different. Instead of rusty zinc, it was a clean tile floor. There were several well-tended potted plants in the corner. Raka realized this was the balcony of a luxury apartment.

“Where did Baginda go?” Raka whispered then began to crawl slowly towards the large glass door that led inside.

He peered cautiously. The room was dark inside, but he could make out the silhouettes of expensive furniture.

'This place looks empty,' he thought. 'It might be a good hiding place.'

Raka was just about to try to open the door, when a movement in the corner of the room caught his attention.

There, sitting in a rocking chair, a shadowy figure moved slowly. Raka froze. His heart began to pound again.

Raka confirmed his vision again that it was a human, not some other type of terrifying creature.

The figure rose slowly and revealed itself under the dim light coming through the window.

It turned out to be an old woman. Her white hair was neatly tied back. She looked frail, but in her hands she held something long and dark.

The woman lifted the object. It was an air rifle. The barrel was now pointed directly at Raka's chest.

'Don't let her kill me here,' thought Raka, trying to calm his pounding heart.