"Tick tock! Tick tock... sizzling... sizzling..."
The moment the group entered the Osborne Building, the once chaotic battlefield sounds faded away, replaced by the eerie stillness of dripping water pipes and the occasional crackling of sparks from damaged wires. Cold moonlight filtered through the shattered windows, illuminating the debris scattered across the hall—broken glass, dust, and rubble spread across the floor.
"Click!"
A miniature, cartoon version of Iron Man popped out from Stark's shoulder and switched on the lights. Stark himself cautiously raised his hands, scanning the room for potential threats.
"Qiang!"
Deadpool unsheathed his two swords, twirling them playfully as he looked around with curiosity. "Speaking of which, why am I the only one on my own? If I'd known, I would've brought Bubble Gum with me. Even a steering wheel would be some comfort right now." Deadpool's exaggerated expression fell slightly as he realized he was standing alone.
Around him, the rest of the team was paired up for protection: Natasha and Hawkeye stood together, John was with Duke, Frank with his Saint's Journey, and Stark with his cartoon Iron Man. Even Merlin, positioned securely in the middle, had Arcee by his side. Meanwhile, Daredevil and his vigilante mecha were heading to the top of the tower to support Spider-Woman, leaving Deadpool as the odd man out, standing there with his pair of swords.
"Okay, actually, my cousin might be more reliable," Deadpool muttered to himself when he noticed no one was paying attention.
Merlin, without turning around, replied dryly, "When your clothes are sewn up, maybe we can have a chat."
"Please, what I'm most satisfied with is my body! Just imagine how revealing a bit of my smooth, tender skin will get your blood pumping—way more than reading adult comics in secret!" Deadpool quipped, grinning.
Merlin, sighing internally, thought, "Well, it's better not to engage with him too much."
They proceeded cautiously, taking the relatively hidden fire stairs, climbing up to the 30th floor. Despite the tension, no incidents occurred on the way, only the distant roars and explosions from outside serving as a constant reminder of the chaos surrounding them.
However, no one let their guard down, moving steadily forward without anxiety. Just as they reached the corner of the next flight of stairs, a lizardman suddenly crashed through the window, lunging at them!
"Roar!!! They are here!!!"
The female lizardman's shriek shattered the silence of the corridor.
"Bang!"
In the next moment, her head exploded, the sound echoing through the hall. The nearest Deadpool threw up his hands, startled and a bit embarrassed. Saint calmly lowered the gun in his hand.
"Boy, are you some kind of juggler?" he asked sarcastically.
"You're right," Deadpool replied with a grin, scratching his head.
Saint , clearly not expecting such a blunt response, was momentarily speechless. Just as he was about to retort, another loud roar interrupted him.
"Roar!"
"Roar!!!"
"They're here!!! Kill them!!!"
Suddenly, the once quiet corridors were filled with chaos. Lizardmen swarmed from the outer walls, their roars echoing deafeningly in every hallway!
"Quick! Speed up and get to the top!"
Stark's and the others' faces grew grim as they realized the lizardmen were now sending reinforcements to chase them. Without hesitation, the team shifted from cautious movement to an all-out sprint, charging forward with force and determination.
"Roar!!!"
"Whoosh!!!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The battle escalated, and gunfire and roars echoed through the building as they fought their way forward.
"Roar!"
Just as Merlin and his party reached the corner, three lizardmen above spotted an opportunity, jumping down to pounce on Merlin, who was protected in the middle of the group.
"Bang!"
Stark's palm cannon shot one away instantly, while Hawkeye precisely shot another lizardman in the eye. The group was too close for Frank and the others to react in time. The third lizardman was just about to reach Merlin, and Deadpool saw his chance to shine. Grinning, he raised his dual swords, eager to display his combat skills.
But before he could act, an electromagnetic pulse rifle fired, flashing with energy. The last lizardman dropped lifelessly through the gap in the middle of the corridor, falling straight to the first floor.
"Bang~"
It took a moment before they heard the distant crash echo from far below. Deadpool slowly turned his head, giving Merlin a look.
"Hey! You don't think I'm just here for decoration, do you?" Merlin quipped, holding his electromagnetic pulse rifle with a sly smile.
"We've arrived. Now for the last hurdle," Natasha said, twisting her neck and speaking in a low voice.
The thirty-sixth floor was finally here!
After quickly regrouping outside the corridor door and making sure their weapons and ammunition were in order, Stark took the lead. He kicked open the emergency exit door with a resounding "Boom!"
In the dim corridor, the dull sound echoed. Suddenly, a pair of glowing green eyes opened in the shadows, staring at them intently.
"Good evening, guys! How about some glowing food?" Stark said softly before launching a flashbang.
"Boom!"
The corridor was instantly illuminated by the blinding incandescent light.
"Ahaha! Little lizards, enjoy your last happy moment!" Saint laughed wildly and rushed in, gun blazing.
Scarlet electronic eyes flashed two beams of light in the darkness.
"Crack!"
Punisher, who had yet to take action, grabbed the Vulcan machine gun from his back.
"Click!"
Faint blue flames shot from the rapidly spinning barrel, and the lizardmen piled up in the corridor were instantly torn to pieces. The sheer terror of thermal weapons was on full display. John, ever the calm assassin, methodically hunted down every lizardman with precision.
With Punisher, Saint , and Stark leading the charge, they bulldozed through the narrow corridor. Hawkeye and the others followed behind, providing cover. Although the lizardmen had evolved with stronger defenses and rapid healing abilities, they were still carbon-based life forms, no match for the overwhelming firepower. They could only fall back, overwhelmed by the barrage.
The team trudged through the corridor, stepping over piles of gore, until they reached the laboratory.
"Roar!!!"
From the carnage, some lizardmen began to crawl out of the remains. Their severed limbs regenerated rapidly, and like grotesque specters, they dragged their decayed bodies toward the group. Simultaneously, more lizardmen began flooding in from outside the passage.
"Get inside! Leave the outside to us," Punisher commanded as he discarded the Vulcan and pulled out a shotgun.
"Woof woof!!! Wuwuwu..."
Duke stood by John's side, growling menacingly at the advancing lizardmen, ready for the inevitable clash.
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