'Lia was probably hiding in that room, and the beast sniffed her out, killed her, and hid there when the reinforcements arrived.'
'She died because of that dog, but more importantly, she died because of America!'
'Just like Sergeant Skull said… Only the useful and gifted are Americans… People like Lia, Dad, and Mom were never Americans, they were just slaves.'
'The son of a slave will be the one to tear this country apart and set it ablaze. I'll make them feel what I feel—but first, I'll start by tearing this damn dog apart!'
Thud!
I broke into a sprint, charging at the beast with a murderous gleam in my eyes. In response, the beast lunged forward, swiping its claws at me.
Bang!
---
— Sergeant Skull's POV —
Leaning on the car, I pulled a pack of cigarettes from my pocket and took out a stick. I was a hundred percent certain everyone within this region was dead, so I knew Lucius would only meet a corpse there. That's why I was patient—I was giving the young lad a chance to mourn his loved one. However, I quickly regretted this decision sooner than expected.
Bang!
My brows knitted, and my hand—still holding the lighter—froze midway. Without hesitation, my head snapped up, and my mind raced.
Fool. There's nothing stopping a beast from hiding in there! I scolded myself harshly.
"Get up there now—keep the boy safe at all costs!" I yelled at my team.
But before anyone could react, a part of the building shattered, and two figures shot out.
Bang!
A mutated pit bull was the first to break through, and a smaller figure chased after it like a missile.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Lucius bellowed as he threw another punch.
BOOM!
The pit bull hurled back like a missile, slamming into the ground and raising a small cloud of dust, while Lucius landed some distance away, falling to one knee.
"Damn." I couldn't help but whistle at the scene.
I thought this kid was in danger, but it turns out the mutt was the one that needed saving.
I really hit the jackpot with this kid. My heart bubbled with excitement as thoughts of promotions and new opportunities ran through my mind.
Depending on the quality of the Guardian, I'd be promoted and rewarded handsomely. After saving this kid and giving him a chance to reunite with his sister, he owed me one.
That's a favor I plan to make use of when he becomes a big shot.
Mama, I hope you're watching me. I clasped my hands in mock prayer.
GRRR!
The low growl caught my attention. It was the beast rising to its feet—with a terrified gaze?
That dog was afraid of this kid?
Damn.
The mutt turned to run but quickly noticed me and my boys chilling behind with our guns locked and loaded. Then it returned its attention to Lucius, who was approaching at a slow but steady pace.
I think it realized it only had two choices—fight me and my thirty-plus team, or fight one kid.
"Hold your fire, boys…" I chuckled while lighting my cigarette. "This is not our fight."
"Oh!" I remembered something and turned to one of my men.
"William, record this," I ordered.
I pulled out my phone and handed it over, but he froze.
"What?" William was clearly shocked by the request.
"Did I stutter?" I raised an eyebrow.
"No, Sir!" William quickly saluted and took the phone.
WOOF!
The mutt's vicious cry caught my attention. I was curious to know the decision it made—and it was as expected.
It chose to fight the kid.
Without hesitation, it sprang forward, charging toward Lucius. Its chances of getting past him were higher than dealing with me and my boys.
"Are you saying we should let this kid fight a level 2 threat mutant beast alone?" Kael whispered in my ear, and my brows knitted in annoyance.
I looked over my shoulder, and he shrank back, lowering his head.
"Do you really want me to repeat myself, boy?" I glared at Kael, causing him to shiver and take a step back.
"N-No S-Sir!" he stuttered.
"Since you have so much time on your hands, go up that floor and retrieve his sister's corpse," I barked.
"Yes, Sir!" Kael screamed and ran off.
Sigh!
I exhaled loudly and returned my attention to the fight.
Thud!
Watching the beast charge at him, Lucius didn't attempt to dodge or flee. He just stood and waited, arms crossed over his chest.
Bang!
The beast smashed into him, causing him to slide back a few meters—but that was it. Against this kid, the mutt's strength was lacking.
I wasn't surprised. I experienced this firsthand.
Grrr!
Seeing it couldn't overpower the boy, the beast took a different approach. It opened its mouth, revealing bloodied fangs, and bit down on Lucius's arm. With its size, it should've easily bitten off his arm in one go, but its fangs barely pierced his skin, leaving behind only a shallow wound.
"Ouch…" Lucius said with a blank expression as thin streams of blood flowed down his arm.
"How does it feel to meet a human who can fight back?" Lucius raised his arm, lifting the mutt off the ground while it still clenched onto his limb.
"Oh wow…" I blinked repeatedly, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me.
Lucius's fingers curled into a fist, and he struck ruthlessly at the dog's exposed belly.
Bam!
The dog released its bite and fell to the ground, blood squirting from its mouth. Painful whimpers echoed as it tried to get to its feet, but Lucius caught it by the paw and held its shoulder with the other hand.
Rip!
Our faces twisted in horror as we watched him rip out a limb like he was tearing chicken wings off a full grilled bird on Thanksgiving night.
Arf-Arf!
The mutt cried out, limping back and leaving a bloody trail behind it as it retreated with a pleading look.
"I'm sure Lia begged for mercy just like you're doing now," Lucius said, tossing the limb aside as he walked toward it.
"She just wanted to live a happy life with her big brother. Eat dry bread and porridge with her big brother… IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!" Lucius bellowed furiously.
Seeing the human had no intention of sparing it, the beast lunged forward one more time, aiming for his waist—but Lucius caught its mouth and held it apart with his bare hands.
Rip!
Arf-Arf!
The cries of the beast were muffled as its jaw fell slack, torn all the way to the sides. Terror and agony were written across its face as it kicked and thrashed, but Lucius wasn't finished. He grabbed it by the ears and slammed its face into his knee, caving it in as its eyes bulged outward.
Rip!
He then ripped off both of its long ears. At this point, the beast couldn't cry out anymore. Honestly, most of my men couldn't watch.
Bam!
Lucius slammed the mutt to the ground. Ignoring the horrified gazes of the soldiers, he climbed onto its belly and plunged his hand into its body, causing the beast to convulse.
He pulled out its stomach first.
Bam!
He plunged his hand into its belly again and pulled out its intestines, watching the beast shiver silently in pain.
One after another, he emptied the contents of its body.
Bam!
Lucius plunged his hand into its chest and pulled out its beating heart. Only then did the beast's body stiffen as it finally embraced death.
"Did you see that, little sister? I killed the big bad dog for you," Lucius said with a crazed smile. His body was covered in blood, a still-beating heart in his hand.
"I really hit the jackpot." I muttered, my grin worth a million dollars.