Chapter 5: The Hunted Hunter

Akira pressed against the wall, firmly holding his pistol. His gaze swept across the rooftops.

The attack was quick, precise. A sniper.

Mayu, crouched behind him, trembled slightly.

— They followed us, she whispered.

— No… they're hunting me.

He took a quick glance at the source of the shot. A shadow moved on an adjacent building. The sniper wasn't going to stop there.

— Stay here.

Without waiting for a response, Akira launched into a frantic run.

A second shot sliced through the air. He rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding the bullet. A sharp impact rang out behind him: the projectile had shattered a streetlamp.

This guy is good.

But he was better.

He sprinted toward an alley and climbed a fire escape. His tense muscles propelled his body onto the neighboring rooftop.

No sooner had he set foot on the concrete than a deadly whistle sliced through the air.

Akira dodged by pure instinct.

A dagger grazed his face and embedded itself in the wall behind him.

The sound of footsteps preceded a swift attack.

An enemy was charging at him.

The attacker was dressed in black, his face masked by a tactical helmet. But this wasn't just any sniper. This was an assassin.

Akira raised his arm to block the blow. A fine, sharp blade struck his reinforced forearm. The impact made him grunt, but he held firm.

The enemy immediately pivoted, launching a roundhouse kick. Akira stepped back just in time to avoid it.

Their eyes met through the opaque visor of the mask.

— Who sent you? Akira spat.

The man didn't respond. He attacked again, blade forward.

Akira barely dodged and countered. A knife thrust straight to the torso.

The assailant turned at the last moment. The blade brushed against his jacket but inflicted no damage.

Akira cursed inwardly. This man was trained in close combat.

He attempted a feint, lowering his guard slightly.

The enemy took the bait, launching another strike.

Akira reacted in a flash.

With a fluid motion, he grabbed the attacker's armed arm and twisted it brutally.

A sharp crack echoed. The man grimaced under his helmet, retreating hastily.

But instead of retaliating, he suddenly dropped an object to the ground.

A smoke grenade.

A black cloud instantly enveloped the area.

Akira coughed and backed up, his weapon raised.

Silence.

When the smoke dissipated…

The enemy had disappeared.

Akira slowly stood up, scanning the surroundings. This was no amateur.

And now he knew one thing:

This was just the beginning.