Lust Meter System: Conquering Beauties-Chapter 159: Bulletproof

The gunshot cracked through the warehouse.

BANG!

The sound was deafening. Sharp. It echoed off the concrete walls, bouncing back, getting louder for a moment before fading.

Liam’s body moved before his brain could process the threat.

His legs buckled. Not a dive. Not a duck. Just his knees giving out completely. His whole body dropped straight down.

He hit the concrete.

Hard.

His right shoulder connected first. Pain shot through his arm. Then his side. His hip. His body rolling with the momentum. Sliding across the floor. Concrete scraping against his clothes.

Three feet. Four. Five.

He stopped. Flat on his back. Chest heaving.

The bullet passed through the space where his torso had been a second ago. He heard it. A whistle. High-pitched. Then a distant ping as it hit something metal in the back of the warehouse.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Three hundred people holding their breath.

Then Iggy started laughing.

Low at first. A chuckle. Deep in his throat. Then it got louder. His shoulders shaking. His head tilting back slightly. Blood still on his chin from earlier. The gun still raised in his right hand. Smoke curling from the barrel. Thin grey wisps rising into the air.

His laugh echoed through the warehouse. Bounced off the walls. Filled the space.

Iggy lowered the gun. Let his arm drop to his side. Still smiling. Blood still on his chin.

Then he turned around.

Started walking away.

His back to where Liam had fallen. His steps casual. Unhurried. Like the fight was already over.

Some of his guys started talking immediately.

"Damn, boss is smart as fuck!"

"That’s what I’m talking about!"

"Should’ve seen that coming!"

"He deserved that shit!"

Laughter mixed with the voices. People clapping. Whistling. Celebrating.

Iggy kept walking. Five steps. Six. Heading back toward where he’d been sitting earlier.

Then someone shouted.

"Boss!"

The voice cut through the noise. Sharp. Urgent.

The laughter stopped.

Iggy paused. Didn’t turn around. Just stopped walking.

Another voice. Different person. "Behind you!"

Iggy turned his head. Slow. Looking back over his shoulder. Casual. Not worried. Just curious.

Liam was sitting up.

His back was against the floor. Elbows propped behind him for support. Legs stretched out in front. Breathing hard.

His hands moved to his chest. Fingers grabbing the bottom of his shirt. Pulling it up. Slowly. The fabric bunching as he lifted it.

Revealing what was underneath.

A vest.

Black. Thick. Heavy-looking. Kevlar weave visible in the harsh light from the fluorescent bulbs overhead. Straps running over his shoulders. Velcro fasteners on the sides.

Liam looked down at it. His eyes scanning the surface. Looking for the impact point.

There.

Right side. Just below his collarbone. Maybe three inches down from his shoulder.

The material was dented inward. Compressed. The weave pushed in where the bullet had hit. A perfect circular indentation. But the fabric wasn’t torn. Wasn’t penetrated. Just compressed.

Liam’s fingers touched the spot. Pressed against it lightly.

He winced. Pain radiated outward from the impact point. Sharp. Intense. Like someone had taken a hammer to his chest.

"Thank goodness I asked Shay for this," he muttered. His voice was quiet. Mostly to himself.

But Iggy heard.

His smile widened. Showing teeth. "I see you’re still fucking alive."

Liam looked up at him. Met his eyes. "Yeah. Don’t be too happy about it."

’I’m glad I’m alive. But I thought bulletproof vests weren’t supposed to hurt this much. I mean, I know they absorb the impact, but this feels insane. My whole chest is throbbing. Every breath hurts.’

He pulled his shirt back down. Covered the vest. The fabric settling over it.

Iggy tilted his head slightly. Still smiling. "Most people take those off when they get shot. You know. Check for damage. Make sure nothing’s broken."

’I don’t want to remove this. It’s not just stopping bullets. It’s helping absorb some of his punches too. Every hit he lands feels like getting hit by a car. Without this vest, I’d probably have broken ribs already.’

Liam’s voice was flat. Cold. "I wasn’t aware that was any of your business."

Iggy’s smile didn’t fade. He shrugged. One shoulder. Casual. "Fair point. But I was the one who shot you. Just checking my work. Making sure I didn’t miss."

"Okay."

Liam started moving.

He shifted his weight. Rolled onto his side. Then pushed himself up. Hands flat on the concrete. Arms straining. His whole body protesting.

He got his knees under him. Paused there for a second. Breathing. Steadying himself.

Then he stood.

Slow. Deliberate. His legs shaking slightly but holding.

He looked down at himself. At his clothes. Dust covered everything. Grey concrete dust on his black pants. On his shirt. On his arms.

He brushed it off. His right hand moving over his left arm. Then his chest. His pants. Taking his time. Not rushing.

The whole warehouse was watching him. Three hundred pairs of eyes. All silent now. The laughter had stopped.

Liam finished brushing himself off. Looked up. Met Iggy’s eyes.

Iggy lowered the gun completely. His arm dropping to his side. Then he tossed it.

The gun flew through the air. Spinning. Landed on the concrete with a clatter. Skidded across the floor. Slid to a stop near the crowd. Someone picked it up.

Iggy’s hands were empty now. He rolled his shoulders. Cracked his neck. Left. Then right. The sound sharp in the silence.

"Ready?" he asked.

Liam didn’t answer.

He just moved.

Fast.

His feet pushed off the concrete. His body launching forward. Distance closing.

Ten feet. Seven. Five. Three.

He threw a right straight. His fist driving forward. Aimed directly at Iggy’s face. At his nose. Full force.

Iggy’s head moved. Slipped left. Smooth. Effortless.

The punch passed by his ear. Missing by inches.

Liam was already throwing the next one. Left hook. Body shot. Aimed at Iggy’s ribs. Right side. Where the liver would be.

His fist connected.

Solid impact. His knuckles hitting flesh. Hitting muscle.

Iggy’s body shifted slightly. His torso rotating from the impact.

But he didn’t make a sound. Didn’t react. Just stood there.

Then he countered.

Right uppercut. Fast. Coming up from below. Aimed at Liam’s chin.

Liam saw it. Leaned back. His spine arching. His head tilting backward.

The fist passed in front of his face. So close he felt the air displacement.

He straightened immediately. Stepped in closer. Inside Iggy’s guard.

Threw a combination. Left jab. Right cross. Left hook.

The jab came first. Straight. Fast.

Iggy’s right forearm came up. Blocked it. The impact making a dull thud.

The cross followed immediately. Liam’s right fist driving forward.

Iggy ducked. His body dropping low. The punch sailing over his head.

The hook came around. Left fist. Aimed at Iggy’s temple.

Iggy was already moving. Coming up from the duck. The hook caught him. On the shoulder.

They separated.

Both stepping back at the same time. Creating space.

Then they moved again.

Iggy threw a front kick. Right leg. Aimed at Liam’s stomach.

Liam’s hands shot down. Both of them. Grabbing Iggy’s shin. His fingers wrapping around it. Gripping tight.

He twisted. Hard. Using his whole body. His hips rotating. His arms pulling.

Iggy’s body spun. Rotating in the air. His balance completely gone.

But he didn’t fall.

His hands hit the ground. Palms flat. Arms straight. Supporting his weight.

Then he pushed off. Hard. His arms extending. Launching his body upward and backward.

He flipped. A complete backflip. His body rotating. Feet over head.

He landed on his feet. Solid. Balanced.

But his left hand moved. Just slightly. Touching his ribs. Right side. Where Liam had hit him earlier.

Just for a second. Then his hand dropped.

Liam saw it.

’He felt that.’ 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Liam closed the distance again. Fast.

Threw a right hook. Aimed at Iggy’s temple.

Iggy ducked under it.

Then came up. Fast. Inside Liam’s guard.

His left fist drove forward. Body shot. Right into Liam’s ribs. Left side.

The impact was brutal.

Liam felt it through the vest. Pain exploded across his side. His breath caught.

He stepped back. Creating space.

Iggy followed.

Threw a right straight. Aimed at Liam’s face.

Liam’s left hand came up. Parried it. Deflected it to the side.

Then Liam countered.

Left uppercut. His body rotating. His fist driving upward. Aimed at Iggy’s chin.

Connected.

The impact was solid. His knuckles hitting Iggy’s jaw.

Iggy’s head snapped back. His body stumbling. One step. Two.

And his right hand came up. Touched his jaw. Just for a second.

Then dropped. Fast.

But Liam saw it.

’He felt that. The Pulse-X must be wearing off. That means he’s starting to feel pain again.’

Liam’s mind clicked.

’I need to end this now. Before it wears off completely. Before he adapts.’

He moved.

Fast.

Closed the distance. Three steps.

Threw a right hook. Aimed at Iggy’s face.

Iggy ducked.

Liam didn’t stop. Left uppercut. Right cross. Left hook.

The uppercut connected. Under Iggy’s chin. His head snapped back.

Liam pressed forward. Not giving space.

Right hook to the body. Left straight to the face. Right uppercut to the ribs.

Iggy tried to block. His forearms coming up.

But he was slower. Each impact made him wince. Made his face tighten.

Liam kept throwing.

Left hook. Right cross. Left uppercut. Right hook.

Not stopping. Not slowing.

Iggy blocked some. Took others. His guard breaking down.

Liam saw openings. Took them.

Right cross to the jaw. Connected. Iggy’s head snapped to the side.

Left hook to the ribs. Same spot. Iggy’s breath hitched. His arm dropped to protect.

Right uppercut. Under the chin. Iggy stumbled back.

Liam followed. Relentless.

Left straight. Right hook. Left uppercut.

Each punch landing. Each one making Iggy react. Wince. Flinch.

’He can’t keep up. Just a little more.’

Liam threw a right cross. Aimed at Iggy’s face.

[Silent Stride: DEACTIVATED]

[Duration Expired]

The notification flashed. Right in his vision.

Liam eyes sharpened.

Iggy slipped Liam’s punch. His head moving right. Smooth. Fast.

Then he countered.

Right straight. Fast. Hard.

Caught Liam square in the face.

Pain exploded across Liam’s jaw. His head snapped to the side. He stumbled back.

’Oh shit—’

Iggy didn’t stop.

He pressed forward. Threw a left hook.

Liam tried to block. Too slow. The punch caught him on the temple. His vision blurred.

Then a right cross. Into Liam’s ribs. Left side. Where the vest was.

The impact drove air from Liam’s lungs.

He staggered back. Creating distance.

Iggy followed. Relentless.

Liam threw a right hook. Trying to counter.

Iggy dodged. Moved his head back. Easy.

"What’s wrong with you?" Iggy said. "Where was that fire in you a second ago, huh?"

His voice was rough, strained — but steady beneath it all.

Then he attacked.

Left jab. Right cross. Left hook. Right uppercut.

Fast. Aggressive. Not giving Liam space.

Liam blocked the jab. Barely.

Ducked the cross.

The hook caught him on the shoulder. Pain radiated down his arm.

He tried to slip the uppercut. Too slow. It grazed his chin. His head snapped back.

Iggy kept coming.

Right hook to the body. Left straight to the face. Right uppercut to the ribs.

Each punch landing. Each one driving Liam backward.

Liam’s mind was racing.

"Fuck. I’m cooked. Silent Stride had deactivated just before i could take him down. Now the advantage has shifted.’

Liam tried to counter. Threw a left hook.

Iggy dodged. Stepped back. Out of range.

Then came forward again. Threw a right cross.

Liam moved his head. The punch missed. Barely.

’I need to think. He’s faster than me now. And he’s reading my movements.’

Iggy threw a front kick. Aimed at Liam’s stomach.

Liam stepped to the side. The kick passed by him.

He countered immediately. Right hook. Aimed at Iggy’s head.

Iggy ducked under it. Came up inside Liam’s guard.

Threw a body shot. Left fist. Right into Liam’s ribs.

The vest absorbed some of it. But not enough. Pain shot through Liam’s side.

He stepped back. Breathing hard.

Iggy was right there. Not giving him space.

Right hook to the body. Left straight to the face. Right uppercut to the ribs.

Each punch landing. Each one driving Liam backward.

The crowd erupted.

"Yeah! Get him, boss!"

"He’s got him now!"

"Finish him!"

Voices overlapping. Shouting. Cheering. The energy in the warehouse exploding.

Iggy threw another combination. Left jab. Right cross. Left hook.

Liam blocked the jab. His forearm coming up. The impact jarring his arm.

The cross caught him on the cheek. Pain exploded. Blood running.

The hook he ducked. Barely. The fist passing over his head.

"Come on, boss!"

"He’s on the ropes!"

Iggy pressed harder. Threw a right straight. Fast. Hard.

Liam brought both arms up. Blocked it. The force pushing him back another step.

Then a left hook. To the body.

Liam’s right arm came down. Blocked it. The impact rattling through the vest.

’I need an opening. Just like Shay taught me. Wait for it. Don’t force it. Let him commit.’

Iggy threw a right uppercut. Aimed at Liam’s chin.

Liam moved his head back. It missed. Close.

Then Iggy threw a left hook. Wide. Aggressive. Putting everything into it.

There.

Iggy’s right side opened. Just for a second. His body rotating from the hook. His arm extended. His ribs exposed.

The same spot. The one he’d been protecting. The one Liam had been targeting.

’Now.’

Liam’s left foot planted. Hard. All his weight shifting.

His right hand cocked back. Just slightly. Loading.

Iggy saw it. His eyes widened. He tried to pull back. Tried to bring his guard up.

Too late.

Liam’s hips rotated. His whole body driving into the punch. His shoulder forward. His arm extending.

His fist aimed straight at Iggy’s jaw.

Not the ribs. Not the opening he’d seen.

The jaw.

Connected.

CRACK!

The sound echoed through the warehouse. Sharp. Loud. Like a gunshot.

His fist hit Iggy’s jaw. Right on the point. Perfect placement.

The impact was massive.

Iggy’s eyes went wide. His mouth opened. A sound escaped. Half gasp. Half scream.

His body lifted. Actually lifted. His feet leaving the concrete. Completely airborne.

He flew backward. Not stumbling. Not falling. Flying.

Five feet. Ten. Fifteen. Twenty.

Then up.

His body launched upward. Rotating. Tumbling through the air. End over end.

Twenty feet up. Twenty-five. Thirty. Thirty-five.

Still rising.

Then he hit the ceiling.

CRASH!

The metal buckled. Dented inward. The impact creating a crater in the ceiling panels. Rust and paint flaking off. Falling like snow.

The sound echoed. Loud. Metallic. Reverberating through the warehouse.

Then Iggy’s body dropped.

Fell.

Thirty-five feet. Thirty. Twenty-five. Twenty.

Falling fast. Gravity pulling him down.

Fifteen feet. Ten.

He hit the ground.

BOOM!

The concrete exploded. Cracked. A spiderweb pattern spreading outward from the impact point. Chunks of concrete launching upward. Dust erupting. Filling the air.

The whole warehouse shook. The floor vibrating. People in the crowd stumbling. Some falling.

Dust filled everything. Thick. Grey. Obscuring vision.

Liam stood there. His right fist still extended from the punch. His arm shaking. His knuckles bleeding. Split open. Pain radiating up his forearm. Into his elbow. His shoulder.

But he didn’t lower his arm. Just stood there. Breathing hard. Watching.

The dust started to settle.

Slowly.

Particles falling. Vision clearing.

Iggy was lying there.

Flat on his back. In the center of the crater. Arms spread out. Legs bent at odd angles.

Not moving.

Blood was running from his mouth. Dark red. Pooling on the concrete beside his head. His eyes were closed. His chest was rising and falling. Slow. Labored. Each breath sounding wet. Ragged.

Liam started walking.

Slow. Deliberate. Each step careful. His legs were shaking. Trembling. His whole body ached. Every muscle screaming. Every joint throbbing.

But he kept walking.

One step. Two. Three. Four.

The crowd parted. Moving aside. Making a path. Silent. Watching.

Liam reached the crater. Stopped at the edge. Looked down.

Iggy was right there. Five feet below. Lying in the broken concrete.

Liam stepped down. Into the crater. His foot finding purchase on the cracked stone.

He walked over. Stopped. Stood directly over Iggy. Looking down at him.

Blood was still running from Iggy’s mouth. His face was covered in cuts. Bruises. His left eye was swollen shut. His jaw looked dislocated. Hanging at a wrong angle.

Liam raised his right foot. Placed it on Iggy’s chest. Right over his sternum. Pressed down. Not hard. Just enough to make a point.

"Now," Liam said. His voice was rough. Hoarse. Blood dripping from his broken nose as he spoke. "Time to die."