Modern World Magical Marionette

*Screech*

The Chitin swarmed his arm, like a tide of miniature crabs latching onto their newfound feast.

This was no ordinary golem swarm, however. This was the 'Chitin,' an ever-evolving miniature golem, designed to adapt to any situation, a testament to Grid's ingenuity.

Each Chitin resembled a miniature crab, its pincer acting as a hand, capable of grasping objects bigger than itself with ease.

These pincers also functioned as joints, allowing them to link together, forming a durable structure, like the gauntlet on his arm.

But their capabilities extended far beyond mere imitation. Crafted from stainless steel and infused with magic particles, each Chitin bore a complex magic circle, granting them incredible durability and heat resistance, rivaling that of diamonds. Their back carapace acted as shields, deflecting attacks with ease.

The Chitin was a masterpiece of design, a testament to Grid's mastery of blacksmithing, alchemy, and golem creation. It was a force to be reckoned with, capable of adapting and evolving, becoming more complex and powerful with each passing moment.

However, the Chitin possessed a single, critical weakness – it could not multiply and evolve itself. It was entirely dependent on the Clockwork hive, a vulnerability that Grid would need to address in the future. But for now, the Chitin was a formidable weapon, a testament to Grid's relentless pursuit of innovation and power.

...

Five days had passed since Bob held the diamond, and now they were running away from the area. The smell of gunpowder and bullet holes filled the exterior of the car they were driving.

Swoosh

"Incoming, shit! Who the hell would carry bazookas in the middle of town?" Bob exclaimed.

Sian, as the driver, gripped the wheel before turning it sharply. The missile flew like a dart, forming a trail of smoke in its path.

*Screech*

The car screeched as its wheels dragged, forming black patches on the road.

*Boom*

The empty car parked nearby exploded, and the shock wave destroyed the surrounding car windows.

"This city is lawless, fuck! Even illegal guns like this are publicly shown like an everyday item," Bob shouted, venting his frustration from the back seat.

"And who the fuck would think that Jake would betray us like this? Fuckkk!!!"

*Bang! Bang!*

Bullets continued to rain on them, making holes in their car like a naked porcupine.

Sian and Jerry, in front of him, decided to go silent. They still felt frustrated about being betrayed.

"Who would have thought that Jake would betray us just for money," Jerry replied with confusion.

"I think he's been bribed by the mayor. That pig is always taking everyone's business. It looks like Jake got tempted by the offer." Sian, the driver, replied while he turned the wheels rapidly.

*Screech*

The tires screeched as the car followed the curved path.

Sian then pushed the throttle, and the car roared ahead in a blur of motion as it desperately tried to outrun and outmaneuver the relentless pursuer.

*Zoom!*

The car's engine screamed as it pushed its limits, reaching a new level of velocity in the straight road ahead. Lightweight objects like paper began to fly as the car passed.

"We need to go to the forest and abandon this car. It's almost out of fuel. We need to take advantage of this shit!" Bob said as the car exited the city and trees flooded the surrounding area.

In a twist of fate, the car also stopped roaring.

"The engine might have gotten damaged by a bullets and, brace for impact!" Sian warned the two as he tried to control the wheels.

*Boom*

The car collided with the trees as the front deform it started to release smoke, and the car safety balloons began to explode, saving their asses from perishing.

"Fuck! If I ever see Jake again, I'll twist the fucking head off his. Fuck! My head feels like exploding."

Jerry, the first to clear his head, ripped open the car door and picked up the confused and battered Sian and Bob.

"Let's go. They're almost here, straighten and clear yourself. We need to move out, now!" Jerry said while dragging the two.

*Bang*

Bullets flew around their heads, making holes in the tree beside them.

The confused Sian and Bob walked up from their stupor. They then followed Jerry.

Jerry was a soldier who retired from the battlefield, he participated in the last war between two nations. As a veteran, navigating the whole forest was like child's play to him. Having experienced an ambush, he reacted fast, saving the two.

After minutes of running, Sian and Bob began to pant. Their stamina couldn't rival a retired soldier. Even though Jerry was retired, his body still maintained a massive muscular frame from working out.

"So, you think they're still pursuing us?" Sian asked with uncertainty.

"Looking at how they pursued us like 'Dog in Heat' on the highway, I'm sure they're still after our asses," Jerry replied.

Sian and Bob looked at Jerry with shocked expressions written all over their faces.

"What the fuck was that? We didn't know you cursed like that." Bob replied with suspicion written all over his face.

Jerry didn't reply and decided to look for shelter they could hide.

"Boss, do you think we still need to hold that right now? How about we throw that to them so they would stop pursuing us?" Sian asked.

"Do you think it's eas... " Before he could finish his word,

*Swoosh*

Jerry grabs both of their heads before pulling them down to safety.

Above their heads, a missile flew with great velocity before hitting the tree near them and exploding.

Boom

The heat and shockwave hit their ears, messing with their hearing. The heat burned their skin, turning red.

A ringing sound filled the surroundings, confusing them more. Like headless chickens, they scrawled while patting everywhere for balance.

After the few seconds of confusion, they finally regained their consciousness, but they were already surrounded by armed people with masks on their faces pointing their guns at them.

"Let's talk like civilized people here, okay? No need to point your guns at the unarmed," a voice sounded from inside a car.

"Fuck you, traitor! How about you shoot us now and get over this shit! JAKE!!!" Sian retorted with rage.

Sian heart beat faster as the feeling of betrayed by a comrade taht accompany them for many year take toll.

His body tremble from rage.

"Now, now. Not like that, Sian. We still needed you all to find the owner of the diamond. And also, how can I shoot a long-time friend? I'm not some crazed madman." Jake replied.

"You're not a crazed madman but a traitorous fucker. Looking at how you pursued us like a 'DOG IN HEAT', the mayor must have a big deal with you." Bob replied with certainty. He too was filled with rage but decided to control his it.

"How sharp, Boss Bob, as always, you don't fail to amaze me!" Jake said with a playful smile.

"Do you know how valuable what you're holding right now is? Are you afraid of nobody making a light show? We could have made a fortune with it. We could have lived our lives to the fullest without worrying about money, and you still followed your bullshit morals?" Jake said, disappointed but with a mocking smile in face that contradict with his tone.

"Because I'm not like you, you traitorous bastard! In our work, money must come first, but having no trust is the biggest insult to us."

"How harsh. No need to say it like that, 'cause even if you scream for help, no one would come just because of trust."

"Just like now." Jake pulled the locked of his gun.

"What the hell is that?"

Suddenly, one of the armed mercenaries asked with a scared voice.

A transparent blue goo, the size of a truck, dragged its massive body, forming a line of cleared paths. It then pounced, defying the laws of gravity, on the nearest mercenaries, devouring him in one gulp not able to react in time.

"FIRE!" someone suddenly shouted, all the mercenaries holding wespon fired a barrage of bullets at the blue goo.

The three, amidst the chaos, decided to take advantage of the confusion. They ran quietly as the mercenaries got entangled with the unknown creature.

"I can't forgive that shit face." Sian said quietly.

*Bang! Bang!*

Rounds of bullets rained upon the massive goo, but it remained unflinching. Jake, already holding the bazooka, aimed and fired.

*Swoosh*

The rocket flew in a spiral, dancing in the air.

*Boom*

The rocket hit the massive monster, carving a massive chunk out of its body. Like a man in pain, it screamed inhumanly, showing its mouth inside the dissolving body of its first victim.

"Screechhhhhhhh!!!" it screamed, almost impairing their hearing, while the mercenaries near the creature collapsed.

Like a bear enraged, it started trashing with a rampage. Tentacle-like structures shot out from its body, hitting the mercenaries like flies.

Jake, looking at the hopeless situation, decided to abandon the others. He stepped on the accelerator, leaving all others to the mercy of the creature.

"Shit! RUN! And don't stop. You'll get swatted like flies."