Marvelous Mutations

The male assassin trembled with inner conflict.

On one hand, his professional code, his employer's wrath, and the danger it would bring to his family.

On the other, his ever-growing obsession with the finest dagger he'd ever seen in his life.

The struggle contorted his face until finally, he let out a guttural scream.

"Stop!!"

His voice cracked. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Luke's outstretched finger, as if it were a countdown to his execution.

"My employer is…" he said hoarsely.

Across the floor, the injured female assassin's eyes widened in shock. Her already pale face turned ghostly white.

"No! Don't say it!" she screamed, crawling forward in panic. "You can't tell him!"

They were partners. If the mission is successful, the two will share the commissions, and if the mission fails, they both will be responsible as well.

So naturally, if her partner betrayed their employer, the fate of the two will be equally miserable.

"Shut up!" she pleaded, voice raw with desperation. "You'll get us both killed!"

But the man was beyond reason now. The dagger had clearly won.

"The employer's name is… Obadiah Stane."

As soon as the name left his lips, he seemed to deflate. His body collapsed to its knees, like his soul had just been yanked out.

The Lucky Cat's glowing eyes flickered in triumph.

Luke, on the other hand, didn't look surprised in the slightest.

Since arriving in this world, he had only offended two people with enough power to send assassins after him.

General Ross was one.

But Ross wouldn't bother with hitmen. He'd just send a platoon of soldiers to burn the place down.

That left only one man.

"Old Obadiah, huh?" Luke murmured with a smirk. "Didn't think you'd be this desperate. Looks like you've got a death wish."

The man, still kneeling, looked up hopefully.

"I told you what you wanted," he said weakly. "Now can I have the dagger?"

Luke smiled, then nodded toward Wanda. "Time to collect the money."

Wanda lit up like it was Christmas morning.

How much did her brother say again? Ten thousand dollars, for that lousy fruit knife?

She nearly squealed, thumbs-upped her brother, and bolted behind the counter.

Swipe. Pin code. Done.

In under thirty seconds, the assassin had paid for his so-called "legendary blade" and was clutching it like a sacred relic as he shuffled toward the door.

Just then…

Luke turned to Doggo, who had been lying nearby with his tail lazily swishing.

Luke squatted down and gave his companion a fond pat on the head.

"Silly dog, it seems I haven't even made your breakfast yet. You hungry?"

Doggo's ears perked up.

Luke raised a finger and casually pointed toward the assassin, who was still marveling at his new "treasure" while inching toward the exit.

Doggo's eyes shimmered. A faint green glow overtook them.

In the blink of an eye, his entire body began to expand, growing bulkier, more feral. His fur bristled, his jaw widened like a cartoon in reverse, and his tail wagged with glee.

With bounding steps, Doggo approached the man from behind.

The assassin was so absorbed in admiring his overpriced fruit knife, he didn't notice the enormous dog shadow looming behind him until it was far too late.

Doggo's head swelled to monstrous proportions, jaws opening wide and…

CHOMP.

He swallowed the assassin whole in a single gulp.

Silence fell across the store.

The only sound was the faint click of the door's bell swinging behind Doggo's wagging tail.

The female assassin shrieked in horror. Her whole body trembled. Even with her bones fractured, she began crawling backward like a broken insect.

"Please don't eat me!" she cried. "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything! I'll be your servant, just don't feed me to that thing!"

Luke rose calmly and pulled a pair of glasses from his coat pocket. He wiped them clean on his shirt, took his time slipping them on, then looked down at her with a distant expression.

"Maybe if you'd talked earlier," he said quietly. "But now… there's nothing left I need to know."

To the assassin, his calm smile was more terrifying than Doggo's massive teeth.

He looked like a villain, the final boss. The man who would smile as the world burned because of his plans.

Behind him, Doggo licked his lips.

His head was still comically massive, but his body had returned to near-normal size—just big enough to move without knocking over shelves. Somehow, the assassin had completely disappeared into him.

It didn't make sense. The math didn't add up. But trying to understand Doggo had never worked before.

Doggo turned his glowing green eyes toward Luke, tail wagging expectantly.

Luke sighed, took off his glasses, and gave a reluctant nod.

"A shame," he muttered. "She was kind of hot."

But two women were already enough for his household. Any more, and he'd lose his mind.

Better not to complicate things.

Doggo barked happily and padded toward the terrified woman.

…