NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Thanks for the Sniper Rifle
While George dodged X-24's relentless attacks and closed in on the bus, X-23 sprinted toward it at full speed.
The four soldiers recording the fight noticed her approach and immediately opened fire with their submachine guns.
Despite her small stature, X-23 leaped and twisted like a true predator, dodging most shots aimed at vital areas. Ignoring the pain from the few that hit her, she viciously lunged at the four soldiers.
Trained from childhood in assassination techniques, this kind of battle was second nature to her.
The sniper perched atop the bus, hearing the commotion below, felt a pang of unease. He abandoned his support fire on Wolverine in the factory and redirected his aim at X-23.
Just as X-23 dispatched two soldiers, the sniper fired a shot that struck her square in the chest.
This bullet was different—its power was immense, sending her flying and eliciting a scream of pain.
The remaining two soldiers quickly seized the opportunity, pinning X-23's arms and legs to the ground, rendering her unable to rise.
Although X-23's physical capabilities and combat skills were impressive, she was still a child and lacked the raw strength of the two muscle-bound soldiers.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free.
"Let's see if you can recover after I blow your head off."
The sniper, glancing at George dodging X-24's strikes in the distance, assumed it was only a matter of time before he was killed. A cruel smile spread across his face as he aimed his rifle at X-23's head.
He didn't believe she could survive a headshot from his sniper rifle. And even if one shot wasn't enough, he'd fire two, three, or more. If she somehow didn't die, watching her scream in agony would still be satisfying.
"It's time!"
George, noticing X-23 pinned down, calculated the distance. Knowing it was the moment to act, he focused his ability on X-24's ankles, causing the clone to stumble and miss his next strike.
Taking the chance, George pulled out a pistol he'd concealed near his chest.
Disengaging the safety, he pressed the muzzle against X-24's temple.
"Game over!"
Bang!
The adamantium bullet tore through X-24's skull, instantly killing him.
Hearing the gunshot, the sniper instinctively looked over and saw X-24 collapse. His face twisted in shock as he hastily redirected his rifle toward George, who was now charging toward him.
"How is this possible?"
But as the sniper tried to aim, he realized his rifle was shaking uncontrollably, as though trying to escape his grip. No matter how hard he tried to steady it, the weapon moved more violently.
With his aim disrupted, his subsequent shots all missed.
Bang! Bang!
From a distance, George fired two precise shots, taking out the soldiers pinning X-23. Freed from her restraints, X-23 scaled the bus like a predator, her claws sinking into its surface as she ascended toward the sniper.
X-23 was vindictive. The pain he inflicted on her would be repaid in kind.
"Commander, X-24 is down! Watch out for X-23 and Experiment 757! Aaaah—!"
The sniper's final, panicked transmission to Donald was cut short as X-23's claws pierced his chest.
George arrived at the bus, watching the bloodied X-23 drag the sniper's lifeless body down. He couldn't help but wince.
"That's enough. It's over now. Leave the rest to me."
He patted X-23 on the head and picked her up, grabbing the soldiers' submachine guns and the sniper rifle. He climbed into the driver's seat of the bus.
Under different circumstances, he would never have involved a child like X-23 in such a brutal fight.
Placing her in the passenger seat, he ran a hand over the sniper rifle and couldn't help but remark, "Thanks for the gift, buddy!"
Although his current abilities didn't let him control the trajectory of sniper bullets, he knew that might change one day.
A sniper rifle with a 2,000-meter range, capable of curving bullets? The thought alone was exhilarating.
Driving the bus toward the factory, George smashed through the front gate and approached Wolverine's position. Once within his ability's range, he shattered the windshield, mounted four submachine guns at the front, and unleashed a storm of curved bullets.
Inside the factory, Donald sneered at the panting Wolverine, who was on one knee.
"The drug's worn off, hasn't it? Let's see how long you can hold out.
To be honest, your so-called backup—Experiment 757 and X-23—will be caught soon enough. Then you can all die together!"
But before he could finish, his radio crackled with the sniper's panicked report and final screams.
Wolverine laughed heartily, using sheer willpower to stand once more.
"Looks like it's you who's about to die!"
"Commander, it's bad! The bus is charging at the factory, and we can't stop it!"
One of Donald's lieutenants rushed in with the alarming news.
"You've all done well. But this isn't over. Retreat!"
Glancing at the still-standing Wolverine and hearing the chaos outside, Donald gritted his teeth and fled with the remaining 20 men.
As Donald's group retreated, Wolverine collapsed to the ground, completely spent.
Moments later, the bus smashed through the factory doors and stopped in front of him.
The doors opened, and George and X-23 jumped out.
"You okay, Logan?"
"Still breathing. Those bastards… Twenty years ago, not a single one would've gotten away."
Wolverine struggled to his feet.
"Watch your language around the kids. And Logan, I'd say you fought just as well as you did 20 years ago."
At that moment, Professor X appeared, wheeling himself out from the water tank where he had been hiding.
George nodded. "We've driven them off for now, but this place isn't safe. Stick to the plan—gather your things and split up immediately."
"George, we've thought about it. We're not going to Canada. The professor is right. Rushing there by Friday is too risky—for you and the others.
We can't be that selfish."
Gabriela suddenly stepped forward, addressing George.