Cybernetic Clash
Chapter 23 – Cybernetic Clash
Kael-X's gaze locked onto the hovering drones. Their lenses reflected the flickering flames around him, recording his every move.
"Of course," he muttered. "They want a show."
Without hesitation, he vanished.
Not teleportation—just pure speed.
The drones struggled to adjust, their cameras jerking as they tried to keep up. But Kael-X had already calculated their flight paths.
He launched himself off the rooftop, spinning mid-air. His leg tore through the first drone, shattering it into sparks and metal.
The second drone attempted to ascend, but Kael-X whipped around and hurled a broken drone piece—a precise strike to its core. It exploded in a flash.
The third drone, realizing the danger, shot upward at full speed.
Kael-X smirked. Not fast enough.
In the blink of an eye, he was already above it. His fist crashed down—obliterating it.
The sky went dark once more.
But the world had already seen him.
---
Meanwhile…
Inside a high-tech control room, multiple screens displayed the now-destroyed drones. The operators scrambled to recover lost footage, while a figure in a dark suit calmly watched.
"He's getting faster."
Another figure, seated in the shadows, responded. "Good. Then we move to the next phase."
The room hummed as a new command was transmitted.
"Deploy Unit-07."
---
Back to Kael-X…
He was already moving.
Destroying the drones meant nothing if he didn't figure out who was behind them. He needed to find the source.
As he sprinted through the burning city, his ears picked up a new sound—a mechanical whirring noise.
He skidded to a stop.
Ahead of him, from the smoke and destruction, a silhouette emerged.
At first, it looked human. But as it stepped into view, Kael-X's enhanced vision caught the details.
Metal plating. Cybernetic limbs. A visor that glowed red.
It was a machine.
Or rather… a human, enhanced to the extreme.
Unit-07.
The cyborg's voice crackled through a built-in speaker.
"Kael-X. You've been upgraded from 'rogue target' to 'high-priority threat.'"
The ground trembled as Unit-07's arms shifted—revealing built-in weaponry.
"Surrender, or be eliminated."
Kael-X grinned.
"Let's see if you're faster than a bullet."
Kael-X vanished—a blur of motion before Unit-07 could react.
But the cyborg's targeting system adjusted instantly. A whirring sound filled the air as its right arm transformed, shifting into a rotating barrel.
"Tracking speed: Adjusting. Target locked."
A barrage of high-caliber bullets erupted from the cyborg's arm, tearing through the air. The force shattered the pavement, sending debris flying in all directions.
But Kael-X was already gone.
He darted sideways, skimming the edge of a collapsing building. His reflexes outpaced the bullets, each shot barely grazing past him.
Then he struck.
BOOM!
Kael-X's fist collided with Unit-07's chest, sending the cybernetic soldier skidding back, its metal feet grinding against the road.
The cyborg's internal stabilizers activated instantly, keeping it from toppling over.
"Adaptation mode: Engaged."
Kael-X's eyes narrowed.
Before he could react, Unit-07 moved.
Faster than before.
Its left hand detached and launched forward, connected by a high-tensile cable. The metallic fist crashed into Kael-X's stomach with a force that sent him flying through two buildings.
CRASH!
Dust and debris exploded into the night as Kael-X smashed into the ground, forming a crater.
For a moment, silence.
Then, laughter.
Low, amused, and dangerous.
Kael-X pushed himself up, dust falling from his shoulders. His red eyes gleamed.
"That actually hurt."
Unit-07's systems analyzed the response.
"Increase power output: 50%."
The cyborg's arms split apart, revealing built-in energy cannons.
Kael-X grinned.
"Alright. Let's see who breaks first."
---
The City Burns
From a distance, the news helicopter hovered, its cameras capturing the chaos.
"Look at this! The entire sector is in ruins!" the reporter shouted. "The military's new weapon—Unit-07—is engaging the rogue anomaly known as Kael-X!"
The world watched.
Some in fear. Some in excitement.
And some… waiting for their chance.
BOOM!
Unit-07's energy cannons fired, unleashing twin beams of plasma straight at Kael-X. The air crackled as the beams tore through the wreckage, leaving a trail of molten destruction.
But Kael-X was already moving.
Swoosh!
He zipped sideways, barely missing the energy blasts, which vaporized an entire street behind him. The explosion sent flames spiraling into the air, igniting nearby vehicles.
Kael-X grinned. "You're getting serious now."
He dashed forward, faster than the human eye could track, closing the distance between him and Unit-07 in an instant.
"Recalculating attack strategy…"
The cyborg swung its arm, its metal fingers morphing into long, razor-sharp blades.
Kael-X tilted his head slightly—the blades barely missed his throat.
But he wasn't dodging anymore.
He lunged in close—too close for the cyborg to adjust.
With a smirk, Kael-X drove his fist straight into Unit-07's chest.
CRACK!
The impact sent a shockwave through the cyborg's body, denting its reinforced armor.
But Kael-X didn't stop there.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
He delivered a flurry of devastating punches, each hit sending vibrations through the air. His movements were a blur, his strikes too fast for the cyborg to process in real time.
The once-unshakable Unit-07 stumbled backward, its optical sensors flickering from the damage.
"Damage level: 42%... 57%... 69%... Critical."
Kael-X's eyes burned with excitement.
"Come on, robot," he taunted. "You were talking big a minute ago."
Suddenly—
Unit-07's left eye flickered red.
"Overdrive Mode: Activated."
Kael-X's smirk faded slightly.
The cyborg's damaged body began repairing itself, the dented armor pushing back into place. A sudden surge of energy erupted from its core, sending a shockwave that blasted Kael-X backward.
WHOOOOSH!
Kael-X flipped mid-air, skidding to a stop on the crumbling pavement.
Now this… this was getting interesting.
Unit-07's arms shifted, revealing two massive plasma blades extending from its wrists. Its movements were no longer rigid—it was adapting.
Kael-X's fingers twitched in excitement. "Alright, let's do this."
The next clash was instant.
BOOM!
Both warriors disappeared, moving so fast that only shockwaves and sonic booms marked their movements. The streets shattered under their feet as they tore through the battlefield in a high-speed melee of fists, blades, and raw power.
Every impact sent sparks flying, buildings collapsed, and the sky itself seemed to shake from their battle.
The world was watching.
And the fight was far from over.
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