The city stretched endlessly ahead.
But Kael's path was closing.
Fast.
The pressure behind him grew heavier with every second.
Not just pursuit—
Control.
They were guiding him.
Herding him.
"…They're not just chasing me…"
"Confirmed."
"Movement patterns indicate containment strategy."
Kael clicked his tongue.
"…Of course they are."
He shifted direction again—
Jumping across another rooftop—
But the moment he landed—
He froze.
Someone was already there.
Standing at the edge of the building.
Facing away from him.
Still.
Calm.
Not reacting to his arrival.
Kael's eyes narrowed instantly.
"…System."
"Unknown signature."
"Analysis… inconclusive."
That alone was enough to put him on edge.
Then—
The figure spoke.
"You're loud."
The voice was calm.
Almost bored.
Kael didn't respond immediately.
His body was already preparing to move again.
Because behind him—
The Hunters were seconds away.
"…Move."
Kael said flatly.
"Or you're getting caught in this."
A pause.
Then—
The figure turned slightly.
Just enough for Kael to see one eye.
Sharp.
Focused.
…Unimpressed.
"I know."
Kael frowned.
"…Then why are you still here?"
The figure didn't answer.
Instead—
It stepped forward.
And walked past him.
Toward the edge of the rooftop.
Toward the incoming Hunters.
Kael blinked.
"…You've got to be—"
The first Hunter landed.
Then the second.
Then—
The third one above descended slowly.
All three locked onto Kael instantly.
But then—
Something changed.
Their attention shifted.
To the figure standing in front of them.
Silent.
Still.
Blocking their path.
"Interference detected."
The upper Hunter spoke.
Its voice is colder than the rest.
"Withdraw."
The figure tilted its head slightly.
"…No."
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
That response—
It wasn't normal.
The Hunters moved.
All at once.
Fast.
Coordinated.
Lethal.
And then—
It happened.
Kael didn't see the movement clearly.
Just the result.
One of the Hunters—
Was already gone.
Its body split apart—
Clean.
Like space itself had cut through it.
Kael froze.
"…What…?"
The second Hunter attacked—
And met the same fate.
No struggle.
No resistance.
Just—
erased.
The rooftop fell silent.
Only one remained.
The higher-ranked Hunter.
It didn't move.
Its gaze locked onto the figure.
"…You shouldn't be here."
The figure finally turned fully.
Kael saw them clearly now.
Young.
Calm.
And completely unfazed.
"Neither should you."
A pause.
Then—
The Hunter stepped back.
Not in fear.
But in decision.
"…This changes nothing."
Space distorted behind it.
And then—
It vanished.
Silence returned again.
Kael stood there.
Processing.
Slowly.
Then—
"…Okay."
He looked at the figure.
"…Who are you?"
The figure glanced at him briefly.
Uninterested.
"Someone who just saved your life."
A pause.
Then—
"Don't waste it."