Chapter 37.2

Jason stood on the ledge of a highway and looked down at a decommissioned warehouse that was below him. This warehouse was used to prepare and package canned sardines until it was shut down due to health reasons: the sardines were found to contain an unhealthy amount of mutagens from exposure to Aether that was toxic to humans. The warehouse was decommissioned, meaning that utilities such as electricity and water had been disconnected for a long time. However, beginning from last week, there was a spike of activity around this area and A.V.A managed to track it to this abandoned warehouse.

Meaning there's someone siphoning power from the grid within this warehouse, Jason thought as he narrowed his eyes.

"A.V.A," Jason muttered as his eyes glowed blue when he activated his holo-lenses. A.V.A controlled his lenses and zoomed into the warehouse while activating several different visions including infrared night vision and thermal imaging. At the same time, she connected his lenses to a satellite, giving him more precise data.

"Thermal scan of the area reveals thirty-six sources of heat," A.V.A stated calmly. "It appears they have activated the warehouse's heating as there's an area that I'm unable to scan."

Jason nodded and didn't blame A.V.A. He understood that using thermal scanning would reveal all heat sources, and a heater or boiler would cover nearby smaller sources of heat signatures.

"Don't worry about the inside," Jason answered. "Just get me a lock on the signatures that are patrolling."

"You don't intend to enter quietly," A.V.A stated when she heard Jason and he nodded in confirmation.

"That's right," Jason said quietly. "I need to burn off some steam. And what better way than to break bones and crush heads?"

A.V.A was quiet for a moment while Jason summoned his pocket dimension below his feet. Plates of his Fenrir armor flew out and began covering his body while he withdrew his under-armour from the dimension and directly onto his body.

"Alice and Alina are worried about you," A.V.A said when Jason was finished dressing up. Jason who was holding his helmet and preparing to put it on froze, his face conflicted with various emotions. "They decided to stay in the Loft. I believe the mansion is too large and quiet for them."

Jason was silent; he knew what A.V.A was implying but he pushed it out of his head and focused on the task at hand. He placed his helmet on and there was a hissing noise as the helmet tightened around his neck and closed all seals. His large blue eyes glowed, illuminating his shiny teeth breather while he clenched his fist.

"Time to hunt," Fenrir growled before leaping off the highway. His shoulder mounted Pivoting Grapple activated and shot at the chimney of the warehouse, which was the tallest point of entry. He swung like a pendulum to the roof of the warehouse without anyone below realizing and he crouched down to observe the entrance of the warehouse.

Hmm. Doesn't seem like there's any missing.

At a closer range, Fenrir used the built-in sensors of the helmet alongside his holo-lenses to monitor the patrolling guards. He noted that A.V.A's previous assessment was accurate enough and began planning on how to take the enemies down.

He retrieved a Sniper gun from his pendant and slipped a silencer on it before positioning himself to shoot the mercenaries that were standing on guard outside the warehouse. A slight whistling sound came out each time he fired and the mercenaries fell down like flies before they could realize what was happening. In less than a minute, Fenrir took out half a dozen mercenaries.

Mmm, too fast, Fenrir growlingly grimaced as he placed the sniper rifle back into his pendant. Not satisfying at all.

He noticed the two guards at the entrance moving as they realized something was wrong and grinned viciously underneath his helmet.

Now, this, this will be fun, Fenrir thought as he fell, pummeling towards the two guarding mercenaries.

He landed next to one who jumped in response and he used his elbow blades to stab the mercenary in the throat. The second mercenary turned at the sound but froze in fear as he caught sight of Fenrir before releasing the safety of his gun. Before he could aim and shoot, Fenrir threw a knife at him, striking his gun and disarming him. Right after, Fenrir lunged at him and sent a barrage of punches at him. In a second he launched six punches at the mercenary's chest and head. As the mercenary fell back from the force of the blows, Fenrir pulled his leg back like a scorpion and kicked downwards at the mercenary's leg, breaking the kneecap instantly. Before the mercenary could scream, Fenrir grabbed him by the throat and slammed him down to the ground.

"What was that?!" A voice from inside shouted; Fenrir slamming the mercenary onto the ground alarmed someone that was inside. "I'm gonna check it out!"

"I'll go with you!" a second voice said and Fenrir heard footsteps approaching from inside the warehouse.

He threw a dozen knives into the large doorway before dashing and taking cover behind a vehicle. Before the mercenaries could open the door, the knives let out a beeping noise before exploding. The door, which was made from metal, shattered inwards and sent shrapnel flying everywhere and killing the two mercenaries that were preparing to exit the warehouse.

"We're under attack!" a voice shouted and the remaining mercenaries that were relaxing or resting prepared themselves by arming and armoring up.

Fenrir took this moment to roll over the hood of the vehicle and run towards the warehouse. From amongst the flames, a handful of mercenaries saw him running towards him but were stunned when they saw his appearance; his body was covered in armor and his large teeth and glowing blue eyes looked inhuman to them.

"OPEN FIRE!" the leading mercenary bellowed and bullets rained down on Fenrir like a hailstorm. Bullets from SMG's, Assault Rifles, and Shotguns pelted him and Fenrir's movement was slowed as more mercenaries joined in shooting at him. A shotgun pellet hit him on the shoulder and forced him half a step backward while a few of the mercenaries began changing their ammo.

"Switch to HE rounds!" the lead mercenary shouted and a quarter of the shooters, who emptied their clips, proceeded to use High Explosive Rounds. The bullets fired from their guns hit Fenrir's armor and exploded on impact sending Fenrir reeling back even further. Soon smoke covered the area as the mercenaries continued shooting for a whole three minutes.