Although many traditionalists were busy watching the news report by Kate, there were some youngsters who were getting updated about the situation in Slough through other sources. One of those being Scotty, a live streamer, who was becoming more famous by the second.
‘This is it, I've found my calling, people are eating this crap up. All I need to do is keep searching for big events like this, follow them, and people will keep following me.’ Scotty was already picturing the good life as he held his phone as still as possible for the others to see what was going on right now.
Kirk and his Cheetah Squad had come into the middle of the road which naturally wasn't being used right now, since many cars had been toppled over and were broken. Although, the Altered was impressive as he continued to fight off the crazed beasts one by one, mainly using his speed and forward punches.
There was actually someone else that was catching the eyes of the others more, the stranger whose face was unable to clearly be seen. The cap on his head was kept quite low, while the scarf covered everything below his eyes.
[Who is that guy? I mean, Kirk is an Altered and transformed, but this guy looks and acts like a ninja!]
[He has to be an Altered as well! There's no way someone a non-Altered can do that much!]
Just as the viewers were talking about Jayden, he jumped on one of the creature’s shoulders, pushing them back, and kicking another one in the face. When a third went to swipe towards him, he backflipped while kicking another right on the chin.
‘Damn, I haven’t fought like this in a long time. It's reminding me of the past.’ Jayden grinned underneath his disguise. ‘But, it's also nice to just outright use my strength to beat them sometimes.’
Given his unique Altered form, he couldn’t afford to transform, otherwise it would be a dead giveaway to who he was. He needed to be more creative with the way he fought, bringing him back to his school days. This fighting style was what was getting the attention of all the others.
Soon, with the two of them on the job, the crazed Altered in the area had been defeated. It was nice, quick, and easy. Slowly, the people who were in the restaurants and bars at the corners of the road came out, and so did the few that stayed in their cars.
Immediately, they started clapping for their two saviours.
“Thank you! Thank you for saving us!” They all cheered. Some of them got closer as they wanted to personally thank the ones. Meanwhile, the shop owners mainly stayed back.
They knew that the ones that had protected them were gang members due to the clothing they were wearing, and they often had to deal with the Underdogs in this place. They were grateful now, but many struggled to even keep open due to the high prices they had to pay towards the Underdogs.
Not only that, but they felt like they had just done what they were obligated to do.
With those dangerous creatures defeated, Scotty felt like he should take this chance to interview the two of them. His viewers certainly demanded it, and if he managed to do that he could upload the interview to PouTube, increasing his own fame even more!
He immediately ran out and joined the crowd, but before any of them could approach the two, Kirk had twisted his foot, and pounced on the strange masked man. It looked like he hadn’t aimed to injure him, merely going for his hat, yet before the Cheetah Altered could reach, his hand got knocked away by the man.
The next second, Jayden jumped back a few steps.
“Hey man, what was that for? We helped each other, and now you just attack me?” Jayden asked, surprised by Kirk, and he wasn't the only one. The crowd no longer was moving closer towards the two as they were left confused.
[I thought the two were on the same side and knew each other. Why are they fighting?]
[Actually, I think he went for his hat. Maybe he’s as curious as we are about the identity of whoever is is under that disguise.]
[I wish he would have succeeded. I’ll bet whoever it is, is really handsome!]
[More like hideous! Why else would someone who's going to save people cover up what they would look like? Probably doesn't want anyone hating on him.]
“There is only one Altered in this town, and that's me… so who are you and who are you working for?” Kirk asked the stranger.
He went in again, running at a fast speed straight ahead. This time it seemed faster than before, but Jayden was still able to avoid it, moving his head to the side. At that moment, he grabbed Kirk’s body and with the momentum of his own strike threw him forward past him, while tripping him up with his legs and throwing him to the ground.
“Hey, I really don't want to fight, and besides aren’t you supposed to buy me dinner before you start asking me all those questions?” Jayden asked teasingly, making sure to change his voice.
The Underdog members wouldn't believe what they were seeing. Kirk was faster than any of them, he was also a rookie champion in the AFC. Yet, what looked like a regular human had just thrown him on the floor.
[Am I dreaming? Did he really just do that to Kirk Summerfield?]
[Only if we’re dreaming the same thing. That guy is seriously skilled. He has to be a professionally trained fighter!]
[There’s no way that guy isn’t an Altered! Just how strong is he, if he’s managing that much before even transforming?!]
As Kirk quickly got himself up from the ground, he was having similar thoughts, the movements were clearly not that of an amateur. Now taking this a bit more seriously, Kirk’s body started to change more, his teeth started to elongate, giving him larger canines, while his eyes narrowed.
‘Damn, this is bad.’ Jayden thought. ‘If I transform, everyone will know who I am, and that I'm staying in this town. Reporters will be all over me, and I just don’t want to deal with this crap. This guy clearly is misunderstanding something.’
“Hey, cheetah dude, we’ll meet again some other day. There are other areas in this city that need help-“ Just as Jayden was about to finish his sentence. Kirk’s trouser leg had expanded in size.
His large leg muscles came into view, and he leapt straight across, trying to swipe a claw towards Jayden’s face. As his claw was swung down for a brief second, Kirk saw it.
‘His eyes… so he really is an Altered.’ Kirk realised, as a white outline was being seen. The top of his hands, where then hit away, parried to the side at the right moment.
“That crap will only get you so far.” Jayden lectured him. “Your fighting is no better than a kid’s. I can clearly see where you’re aiming. You're still an amateur to me.”
With that he threw a fist of his own stopping just short of hitting kirk, yet the Cheetah Altered could feel that something had hit him, even though he could see the fist had yet to touch his body.
Although, the force wasn't strong, it had done enough to convey the message to Kirk, that whoever was in that disguise was above him and could beat him anytime he wanted.
“I already said I don't want to fight. I just happened to be in this town at this time, so I decided to help the people.” With that explanation, Jayden moved his hand away.
The fighting seemed to be over between the two, and Kirk had even cancelled his partial transformation he had done on his body. The others watching were satisfied by this outcome. They were thankful for both of them for saving their lives, and the last thing they wanted was for either one of them to hurt each other.
“Sir!” One of the Underdogs members shouted, having just gotten off the phone. “The boss seems to be in trouble. We’re to head to Cipen straight away!”
Overhearing this, Jayden thought that was good.
‘If that guy heads to Cipen, the people there should be okay. I heard one of the reported areas was Chavley, so I’ll head over there then, and make sure all the creatures there are dealt with as well.’
“Hey, good luck.” Jayden called after Kirk as he left. “Also, if you think you’re the only Altered in town, you’re in for a big surprise. Maybe don’t go all crazy on them from the get go like you did me!”
‘Other Altered?’ Kirk wondered.