Ryan's massive fist connected with the first ninja's torso, the impact creating a shockwave that rippled across the platform. The ninja's body flew backward, ribs shattered, but before Ryan could capitalize, pain exploded in his back.
The second ninja had struck—daggers buried deep between his shoulder blades, angled perfectly to sever major muscle groups. But it wasn't just the physical damage that made Ryan's eyes widen slightly.
His regeneration was slowing.
He could feel it—the usual instant healing becoming sluggish, labored. The wounds weren't closing with their normal speed. Instead, they leaked blood steadily, the flesh around the dagger wounds turning grayish and cold.
The ninja withdrew the blades and immediately struck again, this time targeting Ryan's hamstrings. More cuts. More of that creeping numbness spreading from each wound.
