Part 37

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The reptile's predatory eyes looked down at me mockingly. This time the monster was in its clear mind, and it read in everything. Every movement was full of power and grace, and the meaningful gaze made it clear that all the previous tricks would not work. But I wasn't standing still either, was I? Or was I preparing for a rematch for nothing? Well, this time I'll blow your brains out and no close combat, I'm not a fool to take on such a giant once again on my own free will, am I? And I remember how it ended last time, so fuck it.

With one smooth movement I pulled out my large-calibre pistol and immediately made an aimed shot right into the mouth of the evil reptile. But the Lizard tilted his head a couple of degrees sideways with some ostentatious laziness, and the bullet pierced through some wall. His reaction hadn't been so instantaneous last time, so why the hell was it showing up right now? I fired three more shots, but I achieved nothing, because the thing was simply dodging and with such 'slowness' that I flared up and threw a vacuum grenade right in its face. But even here the clever monster still managed to surprise me by repelling the 'guest' tail, but already in my direction, in time to jump back, I coldly noted that if I delayed even a second more, it would be a complete fiasco.

The fucking reptile knew where to strike so that he would remain conscious and could continue the fight while suffering from pain all over his body. After receiving a crushing blow to the body with the palm of my hand, I flew a couple of metres away, again taking three aimed shots and achieving nothing, I gritted my teeth quietly. I have to calculate his fighting style and anticipate his every move, but the problem is that this bastard works chaotically and without any system, albeit very technically, I can feel the old army school of boxing.

Thinking about the fact that a shotgun would be very useful now, I once again mentally cursed, who knew that if I left the bike with the arsenal once, this reptile would attack again? Periodically dodging the monster's attacks, I thought about what I could do to stop him, and with his reaction, a shotgun might not be able to save him. Although there is a solid radius of impact, so with the same ostentatious 'laziness' he will not be so easy to dodge, but what is not there is not there. And the grenades aren't doing much good either. What if we do a trick with him like with that 'racer'? I smirked and set the speed of my 'suit' to the maximum for this body and started methodically throwing grenades at the places near the Lizard. The stock of 'guests' and my speed was enough for exactly ten seconds.

But the reptile in a dressing gown simply did a triple backflip and was not even scratched. Taking a final aimed shot with the Triple Action Thunder .50. I still hit the lizard's chest plate. Gloating at the impressive size of the through hole, I was surprised to see the gruesome wound begin to rapidly regrow. What the hell? Something was regenerating this Lizard's body at an astonishing rate. When I noticed the slight glow of the celestial light, I grinned thoughtfully and retreated a few steps. It seemed to be some kind of unkillable beast. I had killed the last immortal with a grenade, but how could I get this monster to eat such a treat? He's not a complete idiot after all. I wonder what else he's capable of. After all, if he has the abilities of all those losers that I defeated, doesn't that mean that he conducted his experiments on them? Or is he someone else's experience himself? It sucks to go up against a 'fellow' scientist, but what can I do but make sure this thing doesn't rip me apart before I figure out how to beat it.

After receiving a powerful kick, which I still managed to block, I immediately noted how different this fight was from the last one. And the only difference was that now I was not fighting a dumb beast, but an intelligent predator. However, if we remember our first meeting in the shopping centre, where this Lizard had destroyed the hunters' drones by assembling weapons from improvised means, and that's saying a lot. But why was he so out of it last time?

After all, he can be much faster, stronger and even more technical, although on the other hand brains have always been the best weapon, and competent management of available 'resources' is the prerogative of the mind. But where did the predator that tried to tear me apart go? What Mr Jekyll and Dr Hyde? Or was it the other way round? Never mind. Dodging the sudden jab at the last moment, I threw the knife at the Lizard, wanting to at least blind the creature, but he shifted his body a couple of degrees with the same ease and spoke softly like some dude at a social gathering.

- As you can see, I took into account the nuances of our last 'meeting' and prepared a little better for this conversation, wishing to conduct recruitment on a 'softer' scenario. But to my surprise you easily dealt with the 'messengers' and all the 'bloodhounds' that were supposed to deliver my invitation to a light dinner to discuss everything. However, I decided to meet in person and make sure of everything, because I am a curious scientist and I am ready to come for such interesting 'material' myself. - Adjusting his snow-white dressing gown he smiled predatorily.

- And this is your 'soft' recruitment? - I nervously grinned, remembering our first meeting with Nicole, that was just a soft recruitment, maybe even with a 'sweet trap' or she just wanted to have dinner with a cool guy. - Then I'm afraid to ask what's not soft to you. Killing a recruit is certainly an interesting technique, but I doubt its effectiveness, and how many applicants have passed your selection? - I asked the monster with undisguised sarcasm.

- The worthy will survive, and the loser will become 'material'. - with vivisector's notes said the Lizard. - I always try to squeeze the maximum benefit out of any event, rationalism is an extremely useful feature for a scientist. - He said arrogantly. - And I've been interested in you ever since that stunt in the underground. You may have killed my boys in self-defence, but I'm not going to let anyone lay a hand on my blood. - the monster's eyes turned a deep scarlet colour.

In an instant, he became a blurred shadow and delivered a crushing blow to my jaw, his powerful cross clearly signalling that the time for talking was over. Accelerating even more, the reptilian started hitting all the pain points and the body again. Is this his way of letting me know that I should have agreed to a 'business dinner' with the Lizard? But there was a catch, if I couldn't switch off the pain, I would have died from his hail of endless blows. Or did that lizard think of such details? I doubt it.

Having become accustomed to the pace of the battle, I began to strike back myself, even though this creature and skilfully dodged, but sometimes my blows reached their goal. But why the hell is this recruitment 'soft'? Sick bastard. I gave the reptile a powerful jab right on the face, and noticed how the eyes became even darker, and the former sanity was gradually leaving this monster. So maybe this was my chance? To make him mad and defeat the 'beast' as a human?

When I noticed that I had time to adjust to the rhythm of the Lizard himself, he only clucked his mouth in front of my face and accelerated even more. What the hell? Who the fuck is he? Some kind of machine? You can't just switch speeds like that. Or does he have that much control? Otherwise, how can he control the force of his blows and his speed so filigree. On the other hand, he's too easily emotionalised, so what kind of car? What if he's programmed that way?

Another crushing cross to the jaw brought me back to the real world. No, I can't do that, because another half an hour of such an intense fight and my 'suit' will start to fall apart, even though it's strong and holds the damage well, but everything has limits, and the human body even more so. Giving the reptile a good two, I immediately noticed how he sped up. Instantly I received a powerful kick in the body, and I flew back a couple of metres. What kind of monster is this? And more importantly, how do I kill it?

Where does it get its strength from? It looks like an ordinary Overgrown Lizard, so where does it get such destructive power from? Once again, when I noticed the change in the monster's eyes, I smirked at the sight of pure rage that was splashing in the two scarlet lights that had recently been the meaningful eyes of an intelligent creature. Copying the smirk, the Lizard adjusted his snow-white dressing gown and sped up again, instantly being at my back, he slapped his palms on my ears painfully and then returned to his original position.

With another smug clang of his fangs, he accelerated once more, becoming one solid, blurred shadow. A languid moment of waiting and a sudden hook, which I had safely forgotten about, and I find myself on the pavement. The monstrous grin of the Lizard clangs dangerously in my face, but the creature still manages to restrain its bestial impulses and not sink into my flesh like a ravenous alligator. But the worst part was, why did I lose so quickly? It was like he was toying with me, so what the hell?

- As you can see, lucid judgement gives a completely different picture of the fight. - in the monster creature's suddenly completely clear eyes, there's a light of smugness. - So you shouldn't have attacked my blood. - A powerful downward kick from the top of my leg practically knocks me a couple of centimetres to the pavement. - But you can redeem yourself and become part of the family. My family... So make up your mind quickly, because I'm not in the habit of throwing away such promising 'material'. - the monster finished his speech with the tone of a vivisectionist.

- Fuck you...' I spat blood and smiled crookedly. - I already have friends and a loving family. So I don't want to become a scarecrow like you. - The lizard growled expectantly, apparently losing his wits, and lifted me by the chest with one paw like an unreasonable child.

Covering my eyes, I smiled sadly. After such a crushing blow of this lizard, I probably won't get up again, who knew he was so heavy? As I did my usual full body diagnostic, I noticed that my spine was broken in three places, as well as my ribs, my right lung had been punctured by one of my ribs, and I was slowly choking on my own blood. As I tried to minimise all the critical damage, I heard a deafening sound coming from somewhere behind me, and a second later I heard recognisable footsteps and the thud of heavy army boots on the sometimes shattered asphalt.

- You should let the boy go, or you'll go to the leather goods shop... - I heard Creed's voice, so insolent and at the same time so native. - I told you in Russian not to come into my town, and what do I see? - Victor said with a predatory smile, looking straight into the eyes of the almost maddened reptile. - Your lizards are like cockroaches on every corner pushing goods, and I asked you not to take the place of the Triad, which you so quickly cut out to avoid competition. So I'm going to have to teach you a lesson. Again...' the master said imperiously.

Carelessly throwing my exhausted body on the pavement, he cast a thoughtful glance at the teacher, now the monster's eyes were once again meaningful. He grinned evilly, and with the full force of his monstrous lungs, he whistled as if to summon someone. The reptile once again looked at him with an appraising gaze and clucked its mouth thoughtfully, as if trying to remember who it was that had come to such a merry gathering, but he spoke.

- You again? - The Lizard hissed irritably, now that he had regained his full mental clarity. - I'm tired of all the fighting, faction wars and power grabs in other countries, but I'm always ready to respond to a 'challenge', so nothing. After all, today I prepared even for your arrival Creed, even if I can not kill such an 'immortal' as you, but I will still try. - he said predatorily. - I can learn from my mistakes. And recognise the strength of the enemy. So do not judge me harshly, because in war all means are good. - our monster continued more calmly.

The scarlet flame in his eyes changed to the measured coldness of a clear sky, such a drastic change surprised even me. Beneath the Lizard's scales, a subtle glow of the same celestial colour was also visible. The cold light was filling the entire Lizard. The reptilian's muscles became only a little more sculpted, and his height increased by a couple of centimetres. Is this some kind of doping? No chemistry. But how does he get stronger every time? It's like it devalues your former results, your training, and all your hard work, because I was really preparing. But it all came to nothing?

So what the hell? Or do I need to change my approach? Become even stronger and more resilient! Deny humanity? But is it worth it? I've already seen these 'humans' lose the last shreds of themselves simply by becoming new monsters. Is that the price of power? Deny it all and you'll last a little longer? Sounds like bullshit to me. There are other ways to get power. I may not be as effective, but at least I'm still a human being, so I'm open to all avenues, and I can always become a monster.

With a thoughtful hum I looked at the man who had lost his essence to become someone else.

He sped up even more and lunged at Creed, but he didn't even bat an eye. The teacher whispered something in an unfamiliar tongue, and his hand was enveloped in a turquoise ligature of unreadable symbols. A second and from his hand comes a blinding flame that immediately envelops the whole Lizard, and he instantly freezes, unable to move. What kind of magic is that? A master can do that? So I was right to apprentice with him, even if my original goal was just a simple disguise, but I found something more.

- A reptile can learn? How curious. Then I'll let you use the boots. But first, let me give you a treat. And by the way, how do you feel about dirty bombs? - Creed grinned, and numerous mutants began to surround us, but at this point I just passed out.