Chapter 31: The Perfect Shadows

The night felt stifling underground. The air was thick with humidity and dust, but none of them had the luxury of caring. Mayu, Haru, and Akira moved through the maintenance tunnel, their steps muffled by the loose earth beneath their boots. The darkness was complete, only disturbed by the faint glow of emergency lights embedded in the metal walls.

Mayu felt her heart race with each step. Her body was still numb from the effects of the poison, but her mind was alert. The idea that the Professor had continued Project Azur, that he had perfected his creations based on her… Rage simmered within her, ready to explode.

Haru raised a hand, signaling them to stop. Ahead, a wider corridor opened up, strewn with crates and abandoned equipment. But it wasn't the scenery that worried them.

Two silhouettes patrolled slowly, men in light armor, clearly trained.

Akira leaned toward Mayu and Haru.

— Should we take them out silently?

Haru nodded.

Mayu felt adrenaline surge through her body. She gripped the handle of her knife and leapt into the shadows.

The first guard didn't even have time to react. She emerged behind him and sliced his throat in a swift motion. The second turned abruptly, but Akira sprang into action before he could sound the alarm, driving his blade under the man's ribs.

Both bodies collapsed silently.

— Well done, Haru whispered.

They continued their advance until they reached a heavy blast door. Haru pulled out a small device and connected it to the control panel.

— This will take a minute.

Mayu and Akira positioned themselves for cover. The silence of the complex was heavy, almost oppressive.

Then, a crackle.

— Contact detected.

A synthetic voice echoed through the speakers.

Mayu barely had time to turn around before the red light above them activated.

— Shit!

The door swung open violently, and a gunshot rang out. They dove for cover as automatic gunfire slammed against the wall behind them.

An imposing figure stood in the doorway. A man in a black combat suit, faceless. But this wasn't just any guard.

His movements were too fluid. Too fast.

Mayu felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

This was not an ordinary human.

It was one of the Professor's new creations.

The man slowly straightened, his eyes glowing with an artificial blue light.

— Mayu…

His voice was mechanical, distorted.

Then he vanished.

A split second later, Mayu felt a violent impact against her side. She was thrown backward, rolling several meters before stopping against a wall.

She barely had time to regain her footing when a fist shot toward her face. She narrowly dodged, feeling the wind of the punch scorch her skin.

He was fast. Far too fast.

Akira attempted a side attack, but the man pivoted with inhuman agility and sent him flying with a simple backhand. Haru then leaped in, blade drawn, but his assault was abruptly halted by a blow to the chest that made him stagger back.

Mayu gritted her teeth.

It was her turn to fight.

She straightened up, focusing on her opponent.

— Who are you?

The man paused for a moment, tilting his head as if analyzing the question.

Then, he murmured in a cold voice.

— I am what you should have been.

Mayu felt a shiver run down her spine.

He wasn't just a creation of the Professor.

He was her perfect shadow.