72:Intruder

I watched for a moment after the cat body dropped to the ground, silenced by my blade.

The air around us felt heavy, filled with the lingering tension of the fight. I took a breath and let my gaze shift to the others.

Ryan caught my eye first. As expected, he was struggling. Overconfidence had brought him down, literally. He tripped over his own footing, nearly landing flat on his back, but Talia stepped in. Quiet as ever, she struck at just the right moment, deflecting the panther's claws and saving his life.

"She isn't the best," I thought, watching her move, "but she's good. Reserved yet lethal."

I knew a bit about Talia from past missions of the games. She didn't have overwhelming strength or flashy abilities, but her faint presence made her an expert at landing precise, critical strikes. She was someone you underestimated until it was too late.