THE SNIPER AND THE SWORDSMAN

Saland had been generated in a city area. Dilapidated skyscrapers, gaunt and skeletal against the harsh sky, clawed at the heavens, yet their broken windows stared out like vacant eyes upon a ghost town. Life had seemingly abandoned this place, leaving behind only the husks of ambition. Yet, piercing this desolation, a single, colossal tower dominated the skyline, a silent sentinel overseeing the decay.

Driven by an unseen impulse, Saland began to explore this forsaken urban landscape. No breath of life stirred, no whisper of existence echoed through the crumbling streets. His gaze, however, was inexorably drawn to the monolithic tower that pierced the heart of the city. The crimson light of the sky, a perpetual twilight in this ruined domain, painted the scene in hues of unease, casting long, distorted shadows that danced like specters.

He continued his exploration, the silence amplifying the crunch of his steps on the debris-strewn ground. He passed near a towering edifice, its height aligning perfectly with the central spire. Then, with a sudden, almost violent jerk, Saland's head snapped backward. On the very spot where his head had been a fraction of a second before, a smoking hole bloomed on the building's wall – the brutal testament to a near-fatal projectile.

His survival was no accident. The Eye of Foresight, a latent ability unlocked within the chaotic crucible of the Glitch base, had flared with a premonitory warning. But the war against the Glitches, the desperate struggle against Beckbosbal, had forged him anew, pushing him beyond his limits. He had shattered the shackles of his potential, reaching a staggering 120%. This surge of power had transmuted his once-reactive foresight into a passive sense, a constant awareness that allowed him to perceive the currents of time, to glimpse the next ten seconds of existence as clearly as the present.

The bullet's origin was unmistakable – the central tower. And from its lofty height, a sharp, feminine voice sliced through the stillness. "You're one lucky bastard!" it taunted, laced with a venomous frustration. "If you hadn't twitched your head, my bullet would have painted this ruin with your blood! I am Tanaly, a hunter sworn to the great Sayler, and your life ends here!"

Perched high above, the woman, Tanaly, cradled a long, black sniper rifle. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail, accentuating the sharp angles of her face. Lean and wiry, her body spoke of coiled strength beneath a gray t-shirt, a black leather jacket, and worn blue jeans. With practiced precision, she re-aimed her weapon, and from her vantage point, a series of sharp cracks echoed as she unleashed a volley of shots towards Saland.

Instinct took over. Saland blurred into motion, a series of blindingly fast dashes that carried him around the base of the tower. He exploited the skeletal remains of the surrounding buildings, using their crumbling walls as fleeting shields against the relentless hail of bullets. The air around him cracked and splintered as projectiles slammed into the decaying structures.

In a heartbeat, Saland vanished, only to reappear in the air before the very apex of the tower. His form shifted, a subtle yet significant change signaling the activation of his "EXSTAR INCOMPLETE FORM." With a swift, fluid motion, he drew his hand across the air, leaving behind a searing arc of light. The diagonal slash descended with terrifying speed and force, cleaving through the tower's peak, slicing open the room where Tanaly had stood moments before.

But his opponent was no novice. With astonishing agility, Tanaly hurled herself out of the collapsing section of the tower, landing gracefully on the roof of a neighboring building. Like a phantom, she moved across the rooftops, her lithe form a fleeting shadow against the red-tinged sky. Her sniper rifle spat fire once more, sending a fresh barrage of bullets towards Saland, who, with his enhanced foresight, danced through the deadly rain, each movement a calculated evasion.

Frustration gnawed at Saland. He needed to close the distance. With another burst of impossible speed, he materialized directly in front of Tanaly. Energy crackled around his outstretched hand, coalescing into a blade of pure light, thrumming with electric potential. He unleashed a devastating downward slash, the electric energy erupting outwards, tearing through the rooftop towards Tanaly.

Yet, she remained unfazed. Raising her right arm, an ethereal orange barrier shimmered into existence before her, intercepting the lethal energy. "Surely your speed is not to be underestimated," she conceded, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "but I will show you that even one who wields a firearm can surpass you! Fragments bee buzzing!"

A palpable shift occurred in Tanaly's presence. A vibrant orange aura erupted from her body, bathing her in its intense glow. Her eyes underwent a startling transformation: irises blazing orange, sclera stark white, and pupils shrinking to pinpricks of black. The long sniper rifle in her hands dissolved, reforming into two sleek, black Uzi submachine guns. And then, from her back, four wings of pure orange energy unfurled, two reaching towards the heavens, two angled towards the earth.

In the blink of an eye, Tanaly became a blur, a supersonic whirlwind of motion encircling Saland. The air filled with the deafening staccato of gunfire as she unleashed a relentless storm of bullets from every conceivable angle. Saland's foresight screamed warnings, predicting the trajectory of each individual projectile. But there were simply too many, a suffocating deluge of deadly metal that defied normal evasion or parrying.

As the bullets converged upon him, threatening to tear him apart, Saland's voice resonated with power. "Admin mode instal elf dive admin mode!"

A colossal azure aura exploded outwards from him, pushing back the oppressive crimson light. Behind him, countless tendrils of brilliant blue energy erupted, coalescing into two majestic wings of pure light. The very air crackled with his power. His weapon underwent a dramatic transformation, the blade elongating, widening, the word "EXSTAR" emblazoned upon its flat surface in glowing script. Lines of vibrant blue energy snaked across his entire body, a living circuit of immense power. And upon his forehead, a third eye opened, its sclera a pristine white, its iris a shifting kaleidoscope of colors, and its pupil a radiant white point.

With a speed that defied comprehension, Saland unleashed a blinding flurry of slashes, each movement deflecting the incoming storm of bullets with pinpoint accuracy. In the next instant, he was a blue streak, materializing directly before Tanaly. "EXSTAR SHOT!" he roared, and from the tip of his empowered blade, a colossal beam of pure azure energy erupted, tearing through the ruined cityscape, leaving a path of utter destruction in its wake.

Tanaly, caught in the periphery of the devastating blast, staggered back, a thin line of crimson tracing her arm. Emerging from the dissipating smoke, she teleported to Saland's side, unleashing two concentrated blasts of orange energy at point-blank range. But Saland's foresight was absolute. He effortlessly parried the attacks with his massive blade. "EXSTAR STARDUST!" he declared, and with a sweeping motion, unleashed a horizontal slash of immense power.

Tanaly reacted instantly, conjuring another shimmering orange barrier. But this attack was different. As the azure blade struck the barrier, it didn't simply collide – it shattered into a breathtaking constellation of countless tiny stars of pure energy. These miniature projectiles rained down upon Tanaly, exploding in a simultaneous, devastating barrage.

Yet, even amidst the chaotic explosions, Tanaly's resilience shone through. She unleashed another furious volley of bullets towards Saland, her movements a blur. He met the attack head-on, his greatsword a whirling shield, deflecting the incoming projectiles. But then, a terrifying realization dawned. The bullets he deflected were changing course, curving back towards him, grazing his armor from every direction.

"You may be able to somewhat predict my moves," Tanaly's voice taunted, a triumphant edge creeping in, "but I can control the trajectory of my bullets, changing their direction at will!"

To escape this deadly dance of redirected projectiles, Saland teleported a significant distance away. But the bullets, like relentless hounds, continued their pursuit. With a swift decision, Saland teleported behind a relatively intact building. As the homing bullets relentlessly followed, he unleashed a powerful slash, cleaving the building in two. The collapsing structure served as a temporary shield, absorbing the brunt of the attack.

But Tanaly was already moving. She teleported behind him, appearing as if from nowhere, and unleashed a point-blank burst of energy bullets. Saland whirled around with impossible speed, his greatsword intercepting the majority of the attack. But a few stray projectiles managed to pierce his defenses, tearing through his right shoulder and left leg, staining his armor crimson.

Staggering slightly, Saland found himself on the defensive. Tanaly pressed her advantage, unleashing another barrage of homing bullets. But Saland roared, an immense azure aura erupting from his very being. A storm of blue light slashes tore through the air, obliterating most of the incoming projectiles and deflecting the rest.

Gathering his remaining strength, Saland shifted his stance, his body coiled like a spring. With a final, explosive burst of speed, he materialized directly in front of Tanaly, unleashing a rapid-fire series of blindingly fast slashes. But Tanaly, her own reflexes honed to a razor's edge, managed to evade the majority of his attacks, retreating with astonishing agility. She then lunged forward, attempting a desperate point-blank shot.

But Saland's foresight was absolute. He anticipated her move an instant before it occurred. With a clean, decisive swing, his blade sliced through the air, severing one of Tanaly's Uzi submachine guns in half. She recoiled, teleporting backward, creating distance between them once more.

Saland was faster, his movements unpredictable. And his ability to glimpse the immediate future was a constant, insurmountable obstacle. Tanaly, however, refused to yield. She shifted her stance, unleashing a rapid series of shots from her remaining submachine gun, attacking from multiple angles with blinding speed. Saland danced through the hail of bullets, deflecting most with practiced ease. Then, with a powerful upward swing, he unleashed a devastating slash of light that struck Tanaly, sending her hurtling into the air.

But even in mid-air, her control remained. She managed to levitate, halting her ascent. Saland, however, granted her no respite. He teleported directly in front of her, his voice a death knell. "EXSTAR SLASH!"

He unleashed a final, devastating diagonal slash of pure azure light. Tanaly, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and defiance, reacted instantly, firing a concentrated beam of vibrant orange energy towards the incoming attack. But the azure blade sliced through the orange energy as if it were mere vapor, continuing its inexorable path. The enormous slash struck Tanaly, cleaving through her body, ending her relentless assault.

Silence descended upon the ruined city, broken only by the echoes of the cataclysmic battle. Saland, his power subsiding, returned to his normal form, the azure glow fading from his eyes and his blade shrinking back to its original size. He stood amidst the devastation, the red light of the sky casting long, somber shadows.

Then, behind him, his own shadow began to stretch and writhe, growing unnaturally long. From its inky depths, a familiar voice echoed, smooth and chilling. "You were very good in this fight." It was Sting. "Now, give me your hand. Sylene will explain everything."

From the darkness of his shadow, Sting's left hand emerged, pale against the gloom. Without hesitation, Saland reached out and placed his right hand in Sting's grasp. In that instant, the ruined cityscape dissolved around him, and Saland vanished into the encroaching darkness.