An injury that would be considered light on the surface. But from the bleeding, it can be easily seen that was not the case.
Though, all of this was needed to earn confidence as well as trust of his future comrades. Or those that can promise him some freedom as well as protection.
Because that was all that Lev wanted. He was a born survivor, living under constant pursuit, he had learned many things to increase his chance of survival. None of which was taught by his father, who was only good at killing and nothing else.
It was also why, even though he acted subservient to Nikoli with fear on his face. He only did it so that Nikoli would put his guard down around him. Consider Lev someone of weak will and easy to be manipulated.
But what Nikoli never knew was the true nature of the dog he was rearing. And how good he was at acting.
Which was why Lev was able to earn this opportunity. And after making sure that FIX was not only strong, but capable of controlling such advanced androids that look almost identical to humans.
He knew, FIX might be the only person capable of letting him find true freedom.
"You are here… I am glad you are here." Lev said in a weakened tone. Too much blood has bled, even though he had staple the injury on his abdomen.
But at the end of the day, he was still a normal human and didn't possess the advanced physique of an awakened individual. Which made him weak.
Though that was only for his physique.
-"I can see you are injured… were you shot?" FIX asked, wondering about the current state of Lev.
Because from what she has seen through her drone, there were no gun-fights when Lev was moving toward the factory. Nor did she notice apparent injury when her android met Lev in storage.
Which means something happened in between that she couldn't detect.
"No… few know that Nikoli is a bit paranoid of betrayals, hence he chips everyone who works for him." Lev said with a pained smile. "Of course, I know it because he sent me to hunt them down." A smile that turned pathetic in between his words.
Making one understand what kind of jobs he had to do to survive.
"Oh… you already took it out?... Then why can I sense another signal from your body?" FIX was curious.
She really was.
Who is this kid fooling by lying about the chip?
But what if he wasn't?
A thought that made her suddenly call the rest of the drones in the city towards the factory.
"Wha… what do you me…"
His words were suddenly cut short as his ears picked up certain sounds that he was very familiar with. Sounds that caused the hair on his neck to stand.
And in response, he tilted his head ever so lightly to the right, dodging the bullet that was aimed at his head.
An action that not only surprised FIX, but made her wonder what kind of man Lev was.
'They were able to hide from my thermal… which means, the shooter is a lot further than here.'
How far, she didn't know. But Lev, who barely dodged a bullet, knew.
Running and taking a cover close to the wall. He said in anger. "Another chip… of course there will be another."
Nikoli was a paranoid man, if he had chipped his normal goons once, so the person who goes on to hunt these chipped goons had been chipped even more times just as an assurance.
Then Lev turned toward FIX, who had just been flying on the ground silently.
"FIX, I know I betrayed your goodwill and such. But let me say it again, I am sorry and I only did it because I was forced to."
A confession, a genuine one at that.
But if it was really a genuine way for FIX to judge. So she listened.
She saw for the first time, Lev's cold demeanor was broken. He stuck to the wall as he spoke. "Just take me out of here, all I wish is for free and nothing more. I can even sell my soul to the devil to be free from this life. Just take me out, take me away from here… I know you can do it."
"But why should I do it?" Another shot was fired in Lev's direction, penetrating the wall he hid behind and exiting close to his hip. Which also made sure Lev of who this assassin was.
"The job DreamMachine gave you was simple. Develop a shopping front for the techniques. A job anyone can do."
"And she might appreciate your talents. But I believe that can be done by virtually everyone in this world… Tell me, what can you offer us?" Calling Luvi a 'She' here was to solidify his identity as a woman in front of dangerous individuals as well as those that might be listening in.
Which would make it way harder for the actual Luvi to be caught by others.
But that was just an intrinsic habit that FIX has adopted. Her question still remained genuine. What can Lev provide to Luvi?
A question that caused Lev to reconsider his options. Wondering if joining Heavenly Stains was the right choice or not.
Because if these people as well treat him just as an asset to be controlled, then there is no need
'No, Calm down. You are not being reasonable, Lev. You betrayed them, what they want is reasonable.'
Lev looked at the drone, wondering how easy it would be to read the mood if only had a face. So he started to wonder what he was good at, what made him unique than others.
A skill that would be required by these people in the future.
Then as if recalling something, he smiled.
Programming was his side hobby, something he picked up to distract himself during his free time. His real skill had always been one.
There was only one thing that sets him apart from others.
"I can kill." Lev said with a smile, a confident one which had been absent since he came to the factory.
And it would seem this answer was very much liked by FIX, as she said. "That truly is a wonderful skill."
******
Killing is easy and virtually anyone can do it. It's what happens afterwards that speaks of the killer or what kind of person they are.
Some feel disgusted, guilty over the dead as well as horrified at their sinful deed.
Then there are those that remain emotionless over their killing and then there are those that enjoy it.
And FIX had some idea on what kind of person Lev was. For she had met many like him in her long life.
It was why she chose to save Lev.
"Hmm, so that is that… guess, I need to delete that Furry's last account from my friend list."
With a saddened sigh, ignoring the multitudes of messages that were sent through Lev's account. He deleted them without ever looking at them even once.
There was no need to do it anyways. Because in the grand scheme of the world, Nikoli was just an insect who was acting as an overlord. Nothing more or less.
'That crosses two people… FIX can be crossed as well. He works well and is probably around the golden star in strength.'
Luvi came to this conclusion after the last message.
He can see that the capabilities of FIX's drones were a bit too effective. And the range of activity of FIX was also something out of his expectation.
As for the true strength of FIX's real body?
Luvi didn't know. Nor did he want to find out until he became a gold star hunter himself.
DreamMachine: How are StarHusky's injuries? Can he take part in the Auction?
FIX: We found a total of four trackers in his body and some deep. So taking out did leave a mark on his body. But as you know. He is a strong man, he will be able to take part in the Auction without much problem.
DreamMachine: Good then… Also, as a thanks for what you did. I am sending you a certain file that might come useful to you.
Luvi had thought a lot, but he chose to believe in FIX for now. And so that FIX doesn't hate him for using him like this, he chose to give away something very special.
DreamMachine: Considering you make your own drones or androids. Some special metals might come useful to you.
#File-Foundation-Alloys
FIX: This… I very much appreciate it.
******
In a field with scattered remains of what once used to be humans stood a young man with shining blue eyes looking over the fake horizon that shone on his face.
He looked left, then right, then at the very bottom, where a broken face splattered on the ground.
A face belonging to a man who was his target.
"Another successful hunt."