The rooftop cracked again.
Not from one strike—
From the constant pressure of two forces colliding without pause.
The masked Hunter didn't slow down.
It didn't hesitate.
Every movement was precise.
Efficient.
Lethal.
Kael blocked another strike—
Barely.
The impact traveled straight through his arm, rattling his entire body.
He slid back again.
His boots scraped against broken concrete.
"…Too fast…"
"The opponent prioritizes termination."
"No energy conservation."
Kael exhaled sharply.
"…Yeah, I can see that."
Another strike came instantly—
Kael didn't block this time.
He moved sideways.
The blade missed him by inches—
Slicing through the air where his neck had been.
Close.
Too close.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
He wasn't going to outpower this thing.
Not yet.
So—
He adjusted.
"…System."
"Suggest."
A brief pause.
"Direct assimilation is inefficient."
"Recommendation: destabilize target energy first."
Kael's gaze flicked back to the Hunter.
"…Break it before I take it."
"Confirmed."
The Hunter moved again—
Faster.
More aggressive.
Kael stepped forward this time.
Not back.
Their attacks collided again—
But instead of resisting—
Kael redirected.
The energy slid past him—
Off-balance.
The Hunter adjusted instantly—
But Kael was already moving.
His hand struck the Hunter's side—
Not to absorb—
To disrupt.
The reaction was immediate.
The Hunter's energy flickered.
Just slightly—
But enough.
Kael's eyes lit up.
"…There."
He pressed forward.
Strike after strike—
Not powerful—
Precise.
Targeting the same point.
Over.
And over.
The Hunter reacted—
Blocking. Countering.
But something had changed.
Its movements weren't as perfect anymore.
Its energy—
Unstable.
"Destabilization is increasing."
Kael didn't stop.
"Good."
The next clash hit harder.
The rooftop cracked deeper—
And this time—
The Hunter staggered.
Just one step.
But it was enough.
Kael moved instantly.
His hand shot forward—
Direct contact.
The energy surged again—
But this time—
It didn't reject him immediately.
It resisted.
Violently.
But it held.
Kael gritted his teeth.
"…Not letting go this time—!"
The Hunter's body jerked violently.
Its energy flared—
Trying to break free.
Kael pushed harder.
The core inside him pulsed—
Responding.
Absorption initiated.
The Hunter's movements slowed.
Its resistance weakened.
Its energy—
Began to break apart.
Kael's vision blurred.
The strain hit him immediately.
Too much.
Too fast.
But he didn't stop.
"…Almost…!"
Then—
The Hunter collapsed.
Its body hit the ground—
Motionless.
The energy inside it—
Gone.
Kael staggered backward instantly.
The surge hit him like a wave.
He dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
"…I did it…"
"Assimilation was successful."
"Stability…"
"…compromised."
Kael frowned slightly.
"…What?"
Then—
The pressure returned.
Not one presence.
Not two.
More.
Stronger.
Closing in fast.
Kael's head snapped up.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
"Multiple Hunter signatures confirmed."
"Arrival imminent."
Kael pushed himself up slowly.
His body was stronger now—
But I'm not ready.
Not for this.
He looked at the city—
Then back at the direction the pressure was coming from.
His expression hardened.
"…Yeah."
He turned.
And ran.
Because this time—
Fighting…
Wasn't an option.