A Disturbance at Work

"What a hassle…"

Ugh, I can't believe these maggots are still trying to get rid of me. Really I admire their persistence though, if only I were able to consistently apply the level of focus they had to hunt me down.

I didn't even do anything to them, besides maybe take their kin for experiments, kill them, get a look at their bodies from the inside…

Hmm… perhaps their hatred has but the smallest amount of merit tied to it.

"Go to Hell!"

There's a clamoring outside and I can identify a large group of people causing a racket. A disturbance to my research. All I wanted to do was work on the Magnum Opus, something that would define the era. But how am I supposed to work in such an environment?

.As the ceiling keeps crumbling I retrieve my most prized possessions and tucked them in my frayed suit, a familiar feeling as it wraps around me. The suit stretched tight around me almost as if it were my second skin.

*Clap *Clap

Experiment #42 lumbers over to my position as the rest of the ceiling caves in.

My faithful creation, a fine work of flesh and stone, covers my body from the collapsing rubble. All the work, lost. But a moment of time, and so much work has been lost. Years upon years of research, amounting to this. A pile of dirt and a small cloud of dust. All that shall be forgotten by time.

Our work is so inconsequential, and that's what makes my work that much important.

"Did we get him?"

These fools believe that such meaningless characters like them would be able to roadblock the great work.

I bellow a laugh, guiding the air to my chest to erupt in an uproar.

"Hahahahaha, after that attack I do believe it is only proper to return the favor."

With the wave of my hand, I direct my creations to come out and commence the battle.

Dozens of my offspring burst up from the rubble and give out their agonizing cries of longing to remember the taste of life.

"Hail the Raven!"

A dozen of these men swarm in the pit that once was my laboratory. Their sharp tools raised and mixed cries of ignorance and naivety can be heard around the destruction.

Disappointed, I sigh. What a shame, how best should I dismantle their bodies for future experiments? That man's leg looks promising, and that guy's eyes look particularly sharp, perhaps I could scrounge something together that would benefit from them.

Options, options, so many to choose from.

A shout came from one of these so-called adventurers, "This monster is ridiculously strong!"

Looking over, they were dealing with a muscular beast of a creature, one I had exerted a deeper effort for.

Experiment #35, classified: "Brute." An immensely robust creature that I had implanted numerous muscle fibers to create an intense boost in muscle efficiency and power.

35's enormous muscles bulged and flexed as he crushed the intruders and flung their ragdoll corpses across the battlefield.

The lifeless bodies were perhaps a little damaged, but that wouldn't be too much of a problem, with a little mix and matching no one would notice the difference.

"Fall back, attack it from a distance!"

What a peculiar man, given that this one is giving the orders it's only a logical deduction to conclude he's the leader. Truly a coward, only hiding behind his men and giving orders.

But how would he adapt under the direct pressure of the fire?

"Brute!"

"Urgh!"

With a deep grunt, it pushes forward through the fallen rubble and clambers up the slope. Despite their efforts to delay #35, the mens' strength couldn't stop Brute as it stalked closer and closer to the leader.

"Forget about me! This thing won't be able to touch me. Complete the mission!"

The men falter, clearing hesitating to so blatantly abandon their leader or follow his orders. Such hesitation would prove fatal,

They look back and forth before uniting as a group to charge towards me.

"Leave me alone with my work!"

With my arm forward #42 bellows and picks up one of the many boulders surrounding us. Lifting the stone over its head it hurls full force casting its dark shadow towards the approaching enemy.

"Watch out!"

The flying rock crushes several people and their blood splatters all across the pit. What a disappointing sight. I could have used them as my next experiments. Such mangled bodies aren't much use after all.

Such an inconvenience, I've got to find another suitable place for my work now. Preferably one near civilization and further away from the Ravens.

Such a troublesome guild, a radical guild with an even more radical aim, the abolishment/suppression of all magic due to its otherworldly nature.

After changing locations I'll have to see about settling affairs with them, they've been a thorn in my side for a bit too long.

And now with this? They've overstayed their welcome.

#42 continuing on absolutely thrashing the opposition, flinging their bodies like ragdolls the men went limp as the light blinked out of their eyes one after one.

#35 was also beating into their commander with heavy hammer fists.

Under the intense force, the sword's metal warped and bent under the pressure, becoming a useless hunk that wouldn't hurt Brute at all.

Surprisingly, this commander showed some sort of capability ducking under the blows and dodging around the heavy yet slower blows.

While the commander couldn't hurt the Brute, the Brute most certainly could, and while I could handle the matter myself I would rather see if Brute would be able to adapt under the circumstances.

Live combat trials as so rare after all, these charlatans may as well contribute something to the Great Work, especially after they had undone such progress.

Brute then slammed its fists downwards but the commander dodged out of the way. But this time Brute shattered the ground causing a minor shockwave that disturbed his opponent's balance.

Then, with a mighty tug Brute grabbed the man before raising him in the air and latching onto both arms.

With an audible snap, the arms went into 2 different directions before the entire body was ripped into 2 pieces, a great fountain of blood bursting into the air in some sort of macabre form of artwork.