The air outside felt different.
Not safer.
Just… wider.
Kael stepped out of the broken structure slowly.
The night had settled over the city again.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
He stopped.
Listening.
Feeling.
"…It's still there."
The sensation hadn't disappeared.
That pressure—
Faint now.
But real.
Like something had locked onto him… and hadn't let go.
"System."
"Confirming."
A pause.
"Core signature exposure detected."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"…Meaning?"
"Your location has been registered."
Silence.
Kael looked out over the city.
Lights flickered in the distance.
Cars moved.
People lived.
Normal.
Unaware.
"…So it's not just that guy anymore."
"Correct."
"Multiple signals detected."
Kael's eyes narrowed instantly.
"…How many?"
A pause.
"Unknown."
"Range increasing."
"Estimated: more than one."
Kael let out a slow breath.
"…Of course."
He rolled his shoulders slightly.
His body still ached—
But it moved.
That was enough.
"…Then I won't stay here."
"Correct."
Kael turned.
The rooftop door hung broken behind him.
The building—
No longer safe.
Not that it ever was.
He started walking.
Then stopped.
His eyes shifted slightly—
To the right.
A presence.
Faint.
But moving fast.
"…Already?"
"Confirmed."
"Approaching."
Kael exhaled slowly.
No panic.
Not anymore.
His hand lifted slightly—
Energy flickering across his fingers.
It's different now.
Sharper.
Controlled.
"…Guess I don't get a break."
The presence grew stronger.
Closer.
Then—
A shadow dropped onto the rooftop across from him.
Silent landing.
No hesitation.
The figure stood.
Tall.
Cloaked.
Masked.
And unlike the first Hunter—
This one didn't speak.
It moved.
Instantly.
The distance between them vanished—
A blade of condensed energy forming in its hand.
Kael reacted—
Partial Assimilation.
Energy surged through him as he met the strike head-on—
Their attacks collided.
The rooftop cracked beneath them.
Kael slid back—
But it didn't fall.
His eyes locked onto the figure.
"…You're not like the last one."
No response.
The figure tilted its head slightly.
Then attacked again.
Faster.
More aggressive.
Kael blocked—barely.
His body strained under the impact.
Not stronger.
But relentless.
"…An execution type…"
"Confirmed."
"Purpose: elimination."
Kael's expression hardened.
"…So this one's not here to talk."
The next strike came instantly—
And Kael didn't block.
He moved.
Faster than before.
His hand shot forward—
Contact.
The moment their energies touched—
The figure froze.
Just for a second.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"…Got you."
The energy shifted—
Trying to synchronize.
Trying to take control.
But—
The figure's body jerked violently.
Its energy flared—
Rejecting him.
Forcefully.
Kael was thrown back.
Hard.
He landed, sliding across the rooftop.
"…That's new."
"Resistance detected."
"Assimilation not guaranteed."
Kael wiped blood from his lip again.
His breathing slowed.
Focused.
"…Good."
He stepped forward.
A faint grin forming.
"…It would've been too easy otherwise."
The figure lowered its stance.
Ready.
And somewhere—far beyond the city—
Other presences…
Drew closer.