Chapter 791: To Fight Oneself!

An enormous explosion erupted behind the three men, sending fragments of concrete and twisted metal flying across the narrow military road.

Ryan barely managed to duck behind an overturned vehicle before several pieces of debris struck its reinforced armour.

"FUCK!"

He covered his head.

"These fucking bastards aren’t giving us a break!"

"HAHAHA!"

Vernan’s enormous laughter echoed from nearby as he ripped a damaged steel door from its hinges, using it to shield his body from the incoming gunfire.

"Come on, Ryan! We’re almost there!"

"THAT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!"

Ryan glanced towards the enormous bear.

Several bullets remained embedded within Vernan’s thick fur, while his muscular body continued regenerating from the wounds he’d suffered during their earlier battle.

’Fucking monsters...’

Ryan clicked his tongue before checking the remaining ammunition in his rifle. He’d been training for years, and yet... still lacked.

Even before joining the Volkov family, he’d served within the SSS and undergone their harsh training methods. Yet whenever he fought alongside these ridiculous supernatural creatures, the difference between their bodies became painfully obvious.

’Well, at least I’m still fucking alive.’

Alexei landed beside him.

BANG!

The enormous werewolf crushed a nearby vampire beneath his claws before turning towards the reinforced building overlooking the road.

"Ryan!"

"What?!"

"Is that the control station?!"

Ryan glanced towards the structure.

Several enormous cables disappeared beneath its reinforced foundations, while the surrounding gun emplacements continued receiving instructions from somewhere inside.

Yeah! That’s definitely it!"

"Then let’s go!"

"WAIT!"

Alexei stopped and turned to face his brother, confused at what he shouted for.

"...What now?"

Ryan pointed towards the elevated windows.

"Those bastards have been watching us since we entered the road. You really think they’re going to let us walk straight inside?!"

Vernan scratched his head.

"...So we break through the wall?"

"..."

Ryan watched the huge bear grab a massive piece of rock before facepalming.

’This fucking bear is just like Nikolai...’

However, before Ryan could suggest another approach, Alexei suddenly raised his enormous clawed hand. His golden eyes narrowed towards the building, where several figures appeared behind the reinforced windows.

"Something’s wrong with those soldiers, Ryan."

Ryan immediately followed his brother’s gaze. Three enormous silhouettes stood behind the glass. Their bodies remained hidden within the darkness, although something about their appearance seemed familiar.

"What the fuck are those things?"

Nobody answered before the windows shattered.

KRAAAAAANG!

An enormous black werewolf emerged first. Its massive body crashed against the road, scattering broken glass across the concrete. Another creature followed shortly after, resembling a monstrous brown bear. Finally, a human stepped through the entrance.

Ryan stared at the approaching soldiers. The human possessed his exact appearance. Even his equipment looked almost identical. However, his expression was unnaturally composed, lacking Ryan’s usual warmth and familiar mannerisms.

"...Alexei, tell me you’re seeing this."

"I’m afraid we’re seeing the same thing."

Vernan stepped forward, studying his enormous duplicate. The creature stood taller than him, possessing thicker muscles and unusually elongated claws. Several dark veins spread beneath its fur.

"That thing looks exactly like me..."

The bear’s expression gradually became serious. He could sense its enormous physical strength. Whatever stood before them wasn’t ordinary.

Meanwhile, Alexei examined his own duplicate. Its golden eyes carried an unnatural coldness, while the surrounding aura seemed considerably denser. Even without fighting, Alexei understood the difference.

’That bastard is stronger than me.’

The human finally raised his head. His gaze settled directly upon Ryan, examining him with obvious interest.

"Nikolai Volkov’s closest human companion, target found."

Ryan tightened his grip around his rifle. Hearing his own voice felt unpleasant enough. However, the stranger’s knowledge concerned him more.

"Who the fuck created you, people?"

The duplicate smiled without answering immediately. Instead, he raised his rifle towards Ryan.

"Father... or rather, Doctor Franz provided our original material."

Ryan’s expression changed at that revelation. The name immediately explained their unnatural appearances, although several questions remained unanswered. Before he could speak, the duplicate continued.

"Your combat records were exceptionally valuable."

Despite speaking like a robot or an AI, Ryan couldn’t hesitate.

BANG!

A bullet tore through Ryan’s shoulder.

"AGHH!"

He staggered backwards, dropping his rifle momentarily. However, Alexei reacted before another shot followed. His enormous body launched towards the human.

BOOOOOOM!

The road shattered beneath his enormous weight.

Unfortunately, another werewolf intercepted his charge, catching both arms before they reached their intended target.

Alexei’s golden eyes widened in surprise. The duplicate had stopped his charge completely, despite the tremendous strength behind his attack. Worse, the creature slowly began pushing him backwards.

’What kind of fucking strength?!’

He immediately twisted his body sideways. His claws tore towards the creature’s throat, attempting to exploit the sudden change in direction. However, the duplicate mirrored his movements almost perfectly.

CLAAAAANG!

Their claws collided with tremendous force. Alexei stumbled backwards from the impact, while the duplicate remained standing without difficulty.

"Your movements are entirely predictable."

Alexei narrowed his eyes at those words. His opponent’s strength was certainly troublesome, but its precise movements concerned him more. Every attack seemed familiar to the creature.

’It’s using my own fighting style.’

Meanwhile, Vernan had already begun fighting.

BOOOOOOM!

His enormous fist struck the duplicate’s chest. The tremendous impact cracked the surrounding concrete, forcing the creature backwards several metres. However, rather than collapsing, it immediately retaliated.

BANG!

An enormous claw struck Vernan’s shoulder, tearing through his thick fur and exposing the flesh beneath. Vernan gritted his teeth, refusing to retreat.

"You’re a strong bastard, aren’t you?!"

The duplicate answered with another powerful punch. Vernan raised both arms to defend himself, but the impact forced him backwards again.

CRAAAAACK!

Several cracks spread across his forearm bones. The pain caused his expression to darken, especially when the duplicate continued approaching without hesitation.

’This thing is stronger than me...’

Vernan clenched his teeth and lowered himself. His opponent possessed superior physical strength, but that didn’t mean it would automatically win.

After all, he’d fought stronger monsters before.

Ryan pressed himself against the overturned vehicle. His injured shoulder continued bleeding heavily, making it difficult to maintain his grip. Several bullets struck the surrounding armour, preventing him from escaping.

’Fuck, this bastard’s aim is ridiculous.’

He carefully examined the remaining ammunition. Only twelve rounds remained inside his magazine. Worse, his opponent possessed the same weapon, with apparently superior physical capabilities.

"Ryan, surrender while you still can."

The duplicate’s voice echoed from nearby. Ryan could hear its footsteps approaching, although the bastard remained careful enough to avoid exposing himself.

"Your companions cannot defeat their opponents."

Ryan glanced towards the distant fighting. Alexei and Vernan were being pushed backwards, despite their enormous strength and considerable combat experience.

’We can’t win by fighting normally.’

The thought irritated him immensely.

He’d survived countless dangerous missions before. However, his survival rarely depended upon superior strength. Against supernatural enemies, he’d learned that positioning, preparation and timing mattered considerably more.

’Those bastards copied our fighting styles...’

Ryan slowly raised his rifle again. Rather than aiming towards the approaching duplicate, he examined the surrounding defensive structures.

Several enormous cables connected the nearby buildings. They disappeared beneath the reinforced road, leading directly towards the control station.

’Then what about our decision-making?’

He glanced towards his wounded shoulder. The duplicate had specifically targeted his dominant arm, clearly understanding his limitations and equipment.

However, there was something it hadn’t considered.

Ryan wasn’t fighting to prove his strength.

He was fighting to keep his brothers alive.

"Alexei! Vernan! Fall towards my position!"

His sudden order attracted their attention. Alexei immediately glanced towards the overturned vehicle, although he struggled to understand Ryan’s intention.

"Ryan?! We’re barely holding them back!"

"THEN STOP FIGHTING THEM HEAD-ON!"

Ryan fired towards the nearest observation window.

BANG!

BANG!

The reinforced glass shattered beneath his shots.

Several alarms immediately sounded from the building, while the nearby defensive turrets began changing direction.

The human duplicate suddenly stopped approaching.

"...What are you doing?"

Ryan noticed the reaction immediately. The bastard was genuinely concerned about something, and his gaze briefly shifted towards the damaged observation room.

’Oh? So there’s something important inside.’

Ryan’s lips slowly curved upward.

"You’ve been watching our movements, right?"

The duplicate remained silent.

"Then you should know my specialty."

Without waiting, Ryan fired another round.

BANG!

The bullet struck an exposed electrical junction. Several sparks erupted from the damaged machinery, causing nearby floodlights to flicker violently.

The duplicate immediately began rushing forward.

"STOP!"

’Like hell I will!’

He’d finally found someone worth protecting, her stomach carrying their unborn children. In response, the duplicate took potshots at Ryan, yet a strange scale-like pattern stretched across Ryan’s cheek, deflecting a bullet slightly.

DENG!

The bullet scraped against Ryan’s cheek, leaving several broken scales scattered across his shoulder. Although the protection was incomplete, it had prevented the projectile from entering his skull.

’Fuck, that was close!’

Ryan touched his cheek before grinning. The strange scales had appeared several times before, especially whenever his life was threatened. However, unlike his wife, he couldn’t consciously control their appearance.

"Looks like my wife’s power saved me again!"

The duplicate frowned at his sudden transformation. Its rifle remained pointed towards Ryan’s head, although the previous attack had clearly surprised it. Ryan immediately took advantage of that hesitation.

BANG! BANG!

Two bullets struck the exposed control equipment, sending sparks flying across the observation room. The surrounding floodlights flickered before several mechanical alarms began ringing.

[Warning! External monitoring system damaged!]

’Good, that should buy us time.’

Ryan immediately rolled behind another concrete barrier. Another shot struck his shoulder, but the scales spreading across his skin absorbed most of the impact.

His duplicate suddenly abandoned its previous position.

"Interference with Father’s systems is prohibited!"

"THEN FUCKING STOP ME!"

Ryan raised his rifle towards the remaining equipment.

BOOOOOOM!

An enormous explosion erupted inside the control station, throwing flames through the reinforced windows. The nearby defensive turrets immediately stopped moving, while several enormous cables snapped beneath the sudden pressure.

Ryan covered his head against the debris.

"Fuck... babe, thanks to you... I won..."

Whether due to an oversight or just for his own amusement, the human clone was just that... an enhanced superhuman.

His body burned in the explosion, devoured by the flames.

’Now, Alexei... it’s your turn!’