Chapter 69 : No, you perverts !

Hello you all ! Hope you're having a good day. I'm behind a desk with mostly nothing to do so… not too bad myself ! For now, at least…

Let's get the self promotion out of the way : check out my Patréon page to read ahead or discover some of my other works. Search for Cathbel on their website. Also, I'll take your comments, reviews and stones if you're willing to part with them !

Now, what to talk about ? I recently watched the Creature of Kyonsong on Netflix… and it made me think of The Strain. A modern take on vampire, or rather, what if you explained myths with science. In this TV shows, vampire are disgusting ! Bald, with no genitals and a mouth opening up like a space or Cthulhu monster. Also, you become one through a parasite… I've watched the series until the last season, I think. Pretty awesome all things considered. I recommend it !

And now, enjoy the read !

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Watching Rhino work on freeing himself, I can feel cold sweat form on my cephalopod physiology and wonder… Is it even possible ? I admit to having curiosity about them because of my own situation. However, I'm a far cry from being an expert. Since they live in a liquid environment, I doubt they possess sweat glands to regulate their temperature. Seems stupid. Then again, you just have to look at the platypus to understand that Nature is kinda stupid…

Thank the One above all, I'm not a platypus-human hybrid ! I think idly. I blame my unfocused thoughts on the concussion. And maybe my own inner comedian. Anyways, let's focus on this new problem… Can't use my powers. I have a cephalopod body, enhanced by ritualistic processes I invented myself. Unfortunately, I doubt it'd be sufficient to deal with the guy. No, actually, I know it won't be since I had trouble with Doctor Octopus, who's not exactly a model of athleticism and martial prowess. He's a doctor. A scientist. NOT a fighter.

On the other hand, Rhino is a thug. Well-versed in the practice of using his body and physical prowess to get his way… He might have been an enforcer for the Russian mob, or something ? Can't remember shit, right now and thinking is painful !

I shake my head trying to clear away the pain but… It only makes it that much worse. Thankfully, I haven't been shaking it too hard. I wince in pain and as my vision narrows, the only thing in it that remains is the tank Doc Ock was using to pour vinegar on Rhino. It's a pretty big tank… Wonder how he got it up here in the first place ? Must have been like the weapon : something he prepared in advance. That also means the bastard had at least 3 plans in the works in case one or two failed. Damn those mad scientist type !

Back to the tank… Could I maybe… ? I mean, I could, obviously but… Should I ? It's a bit dangerous. He might even die… Oh, well !

Using my enhanced strength and more than two arms, I slowly heave and push the tank toward the edge of the roof, and then… I push it off the roof and down on the Rhino form down on the pavement below.

« Oops ! » I say in a neutral tone.

I don't know exactly how much it weigh or how much kinetic force it'll have accumulated before reaching the ground. There's a possibility it'll kill the man. I probably should feel a bit guilty or, at least hesitant, that I might cause someone to die… Again, I blame the concussion and thus, Sandman, who caused it. It's his fault if my inhibitions are all out of whack !

Thinking silly thought, I watch, almost in slow motion as the heavy tank topples and then rolls freely in the air, the liquid contained inside splashing to the side, then below, before it's caught up by the tank once more. The tank grows smaller, approaching the seemingly inert form of the Rhino… And then, in a massive splash and loud crashing sound, the tanks lands and breaks apart. Like a water balloon exploding, the liquid inside splashes around.

A little apprehensive, I glance down onto the street… Rhino is no longer moving. Let's hope he's still alive but incapacitated. Now, what should I do ?

Then, suddenly… I feel like my puppet master just cut the string holding me up. Strength leaves my limbs and the pain I was ignoring comes to the forefront… It's almost unbearable ! If I was an invertebrate, my bones would be mush, right now. As it is, it's probably only my internal organs that are. And yeah, I know it's stupid. Truth is, I'm pretty sure none of my organs are that badly damaged. My somewhat rubbery physiology is designed to absorb a lot of punishment.

Doesn't look like it was quite enough to withstand getting stuck between a sand tsunami and a brick wall…

« Have to fight it. Can't fall asleep. » I mutter to myself.

That's what I saw and still see on the TV : when you get a blow to the head, you have to stay awake for some reason… I don't know if it's because you'll fall into a coma, or shock or something however.

In any case, even though I say the words, I don't think I'd be able to fall asleep. Pass out, maybe, though the pain would have to increase a little bit more. Fall asleep, with how much I feel like a steamroller passed over my body. Repeatedly ! That and the universe's smallest fantasy miners just decided to move in my brains and excavate. I can almost hear the rhythmic sound of pickaxe on rock…

Focusing on what's happening around me in an effort to stay awake, I sweep my gaze as fast as I can - which isn't very, because moving my head or my eyes too fast is extremely painful - to find my friends. The miners are making too much noise to pinpoint my friend's location by sound. I really hope they're okay.

As my gaze travels the horizon, I see the streets of New York and its high-rises. There's a bit of destruction in our immediate vicinity, evident traces of a fight between supers… But frankly, it's light, compared to what I'd expect. No building has been toppled, no pipings unearthed and ripped open. A few cars have suffered from the Rhino's charges with a couple on the side and the roof. Street lights have been torn or bent. The pavement is cracked or broken but only in a few places. All in all, I feel satisfied that we've done a good job.

And with those thoughts going through my mind, with a feeling of contentment surging in me, I black out.