The city blurred around him.
Lights stretched into streaks as Kael ran.
Not normal running—
Faster.
Sharper.
Every step cracked faintly against the ground.
His body pushed harder than it ever had before.
But it still wasn't enough.
"…They're still getting closer."
"Confirmed."
"Three signatures locked."
"Distance decreases."
Kael's jaw tightened.
Three.
Not one.
Not manageable.
Not now.
He cut sharply into an alley—
Jumped—
And grabbed the edge of a fire escape, pulling himself up in one smooth motion.
The metal bent slightly under his grip.
"…Still not used to that."
He didn't stop moving.
Up.
Rooftop to rooftop.
The city opened beneath him.
Wind cut across his face.
And still—
That pressure followed.
Relentless.
"Left."
Kael shifted instantly.
A blur dropped behind him—
Landing exactly where he had been a second ago.
No hesitation.
No delay.
"They're faster than before…"
"Different classifications."
"Coordinated."
Kael exhaled sharply.
"…Of course they are."
Another presence surged ahead of him—
Cutting him off.
He stopped instantly.
Skidding across the rooftop.
One behind.
One ahead.
One—
Above.
Kael looked up.
A figure stood on a higher structure.
Watching.
Not moving.
Different from the others.
"…Great."
"Encirclement confirmed."
Kael's breathing slowed.
Don't panic.
Focus.
He couldn't outrun them.
Not like this.
His fingers flexed slightly—
Energy flickering across them again.
"…Then I break through."
The Hunter behind him moved first.
Fast.
Silent.
Blade forming instantly.
Kael turned—
Blocked—
The impact shook the rooftop.
But this time—
He didn't get pushed back.
He held.
Just barely.
The second Hunter attacked from the side—
Kael moved—
Twisting his body—
Letting the attack pass him—
Then countered.
His strike landed—
But it didn't stop them.
They didn't react like normal opponents.
No hesitation.
No pain.
Just execution.
"…Yeah."
Kael's eyes hardened.
"…Definitely not human."
The third one above—
Still hadn't moved.
Watching.
Measuring.
"Higher threat detected."
"Do not engage directly."
Kael smirked slightly.
"…Didn't plan to."
The two Hunters attacked again—
In sync.
Kael stepped forward—
Not back.
Timing it perfectly—
He let their attacks cross—
Then slipped between them.
A narrow gap.
One chance.
He took it.
Burst movement.
His body shot forward—
Past them.
Breaking the encirclement.
He didn't stop.
He ran.
Again.
The wind roared in his ears.
The city stretched endlessly ahead.
But behind him—
They followed.
Faster now.
More aggressive.
And above—
That third presence finally moved.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
But certain.
Its gaze never left Kael.
"…Target confirmed."
The voice echoed faintly through the night.
Cold.
Controlled.
"…Core bearer located."
Kael felt it.
That pressure—
Locking onto him completely.
Stronger than before.
Different.
Dangerous.
"…Great."
His pace didn't slow.
But his expression changed.
Serious now.
Because deep down—
He understood.
The real hunt…
Had just begun.