Part 36

3 patreon subscriptions = 10 bonus chapters

Fully completed story at:

patreon.com/FanFictionPremium

***

- So you decided to become a fucking lizard for power? - I said with a sneer. - You're really nothing if you think you can win. You've only become weaker by throwing away your humanity. - I said, arrogantly, and fired a shot right into the monster's chest. - And you lost the last of your brains - I finished my monologue when the lizard's body collapsed.

Once again admiring the beautiful eyes, I immediately noted that there was disbelief in them. How curious. Were these 'critters' really that strong? Although if I were to play the game on their terms, it would definitely be more interesting, but everyone has a weakness, I just need to recognise it in time. But why waste effort and time when you can just make everything much neater and a little more elegant?

- You're right. I was weak. And my soul wanted more power than I ever had. - suddenly said the kimono-clad lizard. - That's why I followed my teacher and got strength that my ancestors never dreamed of. - Noting that there was no trace of a large-calibre bullet in his chest, but only a huge hole on his kimono, I thoughtfully hummed. - This is the way of the warrior and the best disciple of Maître Scorpio. - said the lizard in a high-pitched voice. - Having received 'invulnerability' as a gift from the Lizard, I am ready to lose my former humanity, because what are human morals and attitudes when I have power? All this is just a small price to pay for the power equal to the gods... - I shot him in the head.

I don't like demagogues. Still thoughtfully watching the lizard regenerate at a terrifying speed, I realised that this was the 'invulnerability'. Well, this is going to be a little more interesting than I thought. In nine seconds, the mutant's half-ruined skull was fully reassembled. How curious. Not letting him finish the regeneration process, I immediately take another shot to the head and torso. Quickly reloading, I leisurely point it towards the lizard in the kimono. With undisguised interest watching the rapid process of recovery, I thoughtfully hummed and pulled out two vacuum grenades, having set the timer, I without unnecessary haste, I set one of them in the chest of the monster, and the other in the ruptured head.

Taking a couple of steps away from the lizard, I heard a slight boom, turning around, cold-bloodedly noting that there wasn't even a tiny bit left. That means there's nothing left to regenerate. It would be extremely difficult to recover from this, so his 'invulnerability' is probably over. I looked round with a scrutinising gaze and found nothing that reminded me of my recent opponent. It's good to have a small arsenal, or I'd have to face them in hand-to-hand combat again, but do I need it? After all, every time it takes so much time, and the clothes have to be cleaned myself, you can't go to the dry cleaners with such an 'order', can you? Having noticed some chrome shine in the distance, I immediately began to prepare for another battle, because who, if not the enemy is rushing with such speed directly to me? Some might say heroes! But I haven't seen a single one lately, only sick bastards who kill bandits on their own whim or in self-defence, there's a vampire hunter, but he's not a hero, he's still a hunter, so the question arises, where are all the heroes? Maybe I'm just missing them, but still.

- Regina, go away, I'll deal with this monster. - mechanically said the new lizard, and 'eyes of Sauron' only gratefully nodded and the girl began to tactfully retreat, but I'm not used to someone leaving after such 'events', and she saw my face, so no mercy for the 'monsters' habitually making an aimed shot, I as if in slow motion watched as the new lizard threw a pebble to disrupt the trajectory of the shot and the bullet passed a centimetre from her head.

What kind of gypsy tricks are these? Surprised, I let the beauty get away. As I reassessed my opponent, I hummed thoughtfully again. It was the first time I'd ever seen an almost entirely cybernetic lizard, and it was curious as hell, even its steel tail looked massive and menacing. Where did they get a robocop like that?

- Nice shot.

- Don't bullshit me, human. - the lizard said in the same mechanical way.

- Banal politeness. - I said more predatory. - And what are you? Cyborg, robot, underandroid?

- I am a new stage of evolution... - the lizard still decided to enter into a polemic with me, but I only wanted it and immediately shot him right in the head, but he somehow inhumanly dodged, as if in a moment, having calculated all my actions. - I told you, don't try to talk my teeth, man. - He finished mechanically.

I guess it really will be a little more curious than I thought at first. But with this iron, you won't have to hold back. With a predatory smile, I sped up to test this machine in close combat. Since the speed of this pile of scrap metal was not as good as its reaction time, I was able to dodge the lizard's lunges and retaliate. Surprisingly, his body was not badly held all my lunges, but after each blow there was an indentation, so his strength reserve is still finite. I don't understand why they have so much arrogance and arrogance, because they're just pawns, but they have the arrogance of a full-fledged boss.

When I caught the lizard's arm after another lunge, I easily ripped it out to the collarbone. Hearing a growing rumble from the cyborg, I noted the fact that he had removed the breastplate himself, exposing the body. Emitting a warm turquoise light from the machine's gut, I immediately caught a glimpse of a powerful-looking reactor that was already focusing energy into some kind of crystalline weapon. A bright flash of light and I was seared into the brick wall of the nearest shop. Seeing the lizard regathering energy for another shot, I launched my own hand at him. He caught it deftly and melancholically put the limb back in place, and a moment later it started working, what kind of creation of the dusky genius of cybernetics is this?

Dodging another volley of pure energy, I still managed to catch the moment and shot straight into the core of the glowing reactor. The frozen lizard tried to do something, but the core went into overdrive and ten seconds later, it reached a critical amount of energy and exploded in an uncomplicated fashion, completely annihilating the cybernetic reptile. Looks like you took the defences off the reactor for nothing, you stupid piece of iron.

I sighed tiredly as I looked at the burn on my chest and the ruined top of my clothes. This is why I don't like close combat. It was my own fault, though, for not getting under the arm of an enraged automaton. On the bright side, I've learnt something new. And now I have an idea of how to fight machines. But I'm not going to carry an electromagnetic cannon with me on a permanent basis to fry another mechanical asshole? I could, but I'd rather keep such a toy in my car, which I don't have. My clothes are ruined, my mood is ruined, one 'lizard' escaped and most likely memorised my face. That's a real bummer. I could just take the bike and drink coffee with Alice, but no, I decided to go for a run and stretch my legs at the same time. Oh, so much trouble for one stupid walk.

- I remember you. You used to come to my dojo...' said a new voice thoughtfully. - I see Creed didn't kill you? So the Lizard was talking about you, kid? How curious. What made him so interested in you? - said the massive lizard with undisguised interest. - My goal is to make you follow me, but unfortunately nobody specified in what condition they need you. So try not to die, or at least not to die too quickly. - The mutant smiled fangily.

Taking off his shabby leather jacket, he was left in just jeans, army boots and a snow-white alcoholic. Cold stare and the stature of a twenty-first century samurai. Nothing gave him away as a martial artist, but the eyes of the warrior across from him said just the opposite. What kind of day is this? Not a moment's peace, and I was just on my way to get coffee. Maybe I could shoot him. But that would be disrespectful to the master, because if Creed finds out that I shot another warrior instead of a glorious fight, he may or may not lose his temper.

- So even a great 'master' like you, Scorpion, has decided to deny everything human? - I began my rant again, in order to stall for time and analyse my opponent a little better. - And is it worth it? You've become a fucking monster, and for what? I'm trying to understand why you're doing this. - But the lizard didn't answer anything and, still silent, pulled out a bag of familiar pills and popped one of them into his mouth.

Rapidly building muscle mass, he immediately rushed into the fray, eager to close the distance as quickly as possible and begin the fight.

Instantly blocking a kick to the jaw with my hand, I habitually assessed my opponent's speed, but he was still no match for Creed. Dodging the cross, I retaliate with a kick to his body with all my might. I continued walking at the same leisurely pace as before. Patiently waiting for the enemy to get up, I immediately struck a blow from the top down in a jump, hitting him on the head like a sledgehammer, lifting him up by the scruff of the neck like a misbehaving kitten. The powerful blow of my knee in the face was a little unexpected for me, but I did not feel any pain. Having sealed the lizard with a U-turn with its face into the asphalt and having repeated it several times, I still satisfied my rage and anger. Raising the 'master' again I thoughtfully looked into his eyes blazing with anger. After receiving a sudden blow to my ears, I didn't even bat an eyebrow and began to strike back at my opponent's body.

- You're not strong enough. And even after you've lost your humanity and become a monster, you're still not strong enough. - I sparingly commented on the last blow of my opponent and simply started to hammer him.

Losing track of time, I pulled myself together, and after a couple of minutes I regained control, and after a stingy glance at the 'master' that already resembled a noble crocodile chop rather than a warrior, I stopped and began to listen. There was a lonely applause from the back, and I could hear the heavy footsteps of the giant. Why did he sound so familiar?

- I didn't think you'd be so quick on the uptake, Scorpius. Well, I guess you'll have to be finalised, the concept was good, but the details need to be polished. - I heard a calm voice with the usual lecturer's notes. - I'm glad to see you again, student. I hope you won't run away so quickly this time? - The stranger said in a more predatory tone, and then the red eyes of the Lizard himself appeared.