Steam Factory Attack (2)
They must have been hiding the fact that this was the Steam factory, because we didn't spot a single rat as we hopped the fence.
Ding!
But the moment we pried open the door and stepped inside, bullets came flying at us from somewhere in the shadows.
"What the fuck?"
"One hell of a welcome."
"You got lucky?"
"Yeah. Pretty lucky."
The bullet hurtling toward us didn't fly straight like a normal one—instead, it zigzagged right into my leg. If it'd been aimed at Rabbit Armor instead, he'd have lost his mobility in a heartbeat.
"That was a warning shot, right?"
"Seems like it. They're probably planning to capture us and interrogate."
As I'd mentioned before, the bullet had moved in impossible zigzags—no ordinary bullet could do that. Which meant the sniper had a superpower to control its trajectory.
They knew we were coming and had been waiting, but instead of taking us out, they'd fired a warning. There might be others who knew this place's location, so the sniper wanted us alive for intel. That was the read.
But was it gonna be that easy?
"What do we do with that guy?"
"You know where he is?"
The bullet had buzzed through the air like a mosquito. No way to pinpoint the shot's origin.
"Hell no. But if I stick my head out, won't he react? So, how about it, Master? Take him out?"
"...Master? Listen up, Steel Armor—this ain't what you think."
"What?"
"You might wanna shut your trap and get moving."
"Fuck."
Damn Rabbit Armor—must be the rabbit thing, but he's pricklier than anyone on the planet. Hmph! Like that's gonna make me shut up! Time to pluck him clean!
"Anyway, we take him down?"
"Yeah. And capture if possible. He's inside, so he might know the layout."
"What, Invisible doesn't know the way?"
"He never went deeper than the entrance. Just picked up the goods at the front door."
"Tch. Fine."
They say capturing's harder than killing. You can't go for vitals like the neck or heart, so you're fighting at a disadvantage.
But that's for amateurs! I was different.
Because I fought by the No-Kill Rule every damn day!
Non-lethally subduing while pulling punches? Piece of cake for me.
Thanks, Batman bro.
Wasn't Batman bro drilling that no-kill shit into me for moments just like this? Greatest big bro and mentor ever.
[Hmph.]
Blushing, Batman bro flicked his finger under his nose.
Real men like me all harbor a girly soft side deep down.
Bang bang bang!
Anyway, I charged ahead, and three more shots rang out like thunder, bullets swarming like hawks on the hunt before stinging like bees.
"These peashooters don't work on me!"
I swatted them away like flies. They slammed into walls and floors from all directions.
But where the hell's he hiding?
The shots echoed, but no lock on position. The factory's guts were a maze—plenty of spots to hole up.
Bang bang bang!
As I groped for the sniper, another volley cracked. But this time, the bullets weren't for me.
"There!"
Rabbit Armor's covering fire—he'd guessed the sniper's spot and unloaded.
"Nice assist!"
I launched toward it. Pipes blocked my path, but I bulldozed through like a tank.
"Found you!"
"....."
Soon enough, my eyes met the sniper's, crouched between pipes. Scowling, he figured escape was off the table and sprayed bullets wildly instead of bolting.
This bastard had been using a rifle, not a sniper rifle. Made sense—with bullet control, no need for precision glass. And rifles allowed bursts.
Anyway, I reached out for him.
*****
Surprisingly, Rabbit Armor and I synced up well. I handled the heavy lifting; he backed me from behind.
"Okay. He's down."
"Good. Rabbit Navigation, activate!"
"Can't you shut that mouth for once?"
"Nope!"
"Tch."
Clicking his tongue, Rabbit Armor hogtied the unconscious sniper to a pillar. After the factory raid, we'd drag him out—or call in heroes.
"You really squeeze every drop outta everything."
"Huh?"
"Nothin'. Forget it."
"???"
Tilting his head at me, Rabbit Armor went back to securing the guy.
I'd promised full effort, but he was working me like a dog. Calling heroes was an option, yet he stuck with just me. Probably scheming to exploit an S-rank villain on his terms.
Anyway, after reading the sniper's memories, Rabbit Armor took point behind me for navigation. I led—tougher body for any lead surprises.
Damn! Meat shield? Me, a meat shield!
"Here."
Soon, Rabbit Armor halted and rapped on a blank wall.
Tap tap tap tap thump tap tap!
"...Hmph."
Tap thump tap thump thump!
One spot sounded off. Smirking smugly, he stroked it—wall slid in, revealing a button. Pressed it, and—
Rumble rumble rumble!
One wall ground upward with a roar, exposing a massive elevator for thirty-plus people.
"Bingo."
"Good."
We boarded, descending deeper.
"Get ready. Plenty waiting to welcome us."
"Welcomes are my specialty. Wherever I go, folks grovel and bow."
Even as Horny Guy sans Steel Armor. Flash Sanctuary Corp heir status, and they crumple.
Born to be welcomed.
Ding!
Cheery chime, doors parted. Rabbit Armor ducked behind me like it was natural.
"Steel up!"
Bullet storm erupted.
"Ngh!"
Whoa. "Steel up!" hardened my clone. Mmm! Gotta wrap this quick—harem time. Yuna? Elis? Jina? Emily? Or Succubus and guards? Who to hug so word spreads I neglected 'em!
"Whoa, that's crossing the line."
A grenade rolled to my feet. Fine for me, but it'd shred Rabbit Armor behind. Needed him pristine for Hero Association leaks long-term.
Yuna could snag intel as a hero, but B-rank limits vs. S-rank? Worlds apart.
Roooooll!
"Duck!"
"Fuck!"
I booted the grenade back; gunners panicked and scattered like sheep from a wolf.
Boom!
"Aaaagh!"
"S-save me...!"
Blast caught the un-sheltered—two dead, five bleeding out. Rest ducked cover. Quick bastards.
"I'll handle 'em. You hide."
"Yeah. Meat shield's reassuring."
"What'd you say?"
"Nothin'."
"....."
This guy's getting bolder by the day. Whatever—I stretched and charged.
Nothing more fun for a wolf than chasing fleeing sheep. Wait, I'm a tiger.
"Rawr."
One by one, I dropped 'em. Evil fucks—wouldn't go easy. No-Kill Rule on anyway.
"Ow, my dick broke!"
"D-don't come closer! Kyaaah!"
"The fuck, dude screaming like a girl?"
"Kyak?!"
Nut-tapped the screamer; lump swelled, he crumpled out cold.
"Hm?"
Mid-hunt, bad vibe from behind. Instinct ducked me—I spun, swinging.
The attacker—low charge, arm cocked—backflipped away.
"Who... oh?"
"Kyarr... kyaa!"
"Leopard? Wakanda forever!"
"Kyaaa!"
"Not leopard. Cheetah then?"
Her skin was ochre-smeared with black spots.
Mmm. Killer body.
Someone's type: skin-tight leather hugged her massive tits and moon-ass. Issue was...
"Ugh... a tail?!"
A stiff tail sprouted from her spine—real deal, not plug-in.
Yes! Attacker was Cheetah Girl!
"To tail or not to tail...!"
Tough call. Hamlet-level dilemma.
"To tail or not to tail—that is the question...!"
"You fucker, what're you doing?! Subdue her already!"
Rabbit Armor yelled from cover.
"Dude! Don't you get how huge this is?! It's a tail! Humanity's progress hinges on—wait."
Mid-rant to enlighten him, epiphany hit.
"I've already accepted tails via Succubus—horns and wings too!"
"Fuck, wasted angst."
Should've spanked that ass instead. Legend Master Ong said: When you think it's late, it's really late. Start now.
"C'mere, beast girl."
Ong's wisdom—time to smack that juicy cheek.
Shiiiing!
"Huh?"
Something incoming—I ducked. Someone vaulted over, landing before Cheetah Girl.
"Real animal kingdom down here."
If she cheetah'd human, this guy lion'd it—mane of ochre hair.
Grrr—kyarr—kyaooo!
Hyenas, leopards, wolves—beastkin swarmed.
"This'll be fun."
Secret: I'm a beast too! Bedroom king, alpha beast. Leagues above these knockoffs.
"Folks call lions king of beasts. Wrong."
Arms wide, I declared:
"I'm the king! Apex beast! Beast Armor! Come at me, fuckers!"
The beasts charged.