The sound of the final impact still vibrated in the walls when everything stopped.
Not truly silent—more like the world holding its breath, giving space for something that had just been born to take its own form. Thin dust floated in the air, carried by invisible currents, and in the midst of it, Crow stood with his hand still raised, his fingers slightly trembling as if he was holding something he didn't fully understand.
That darkness wasn't like ordinary shadows.
It didn't follow the light source. It didn't cling to surfaces. It existed… because it was summoned.
As if the space around him had lost part of itself.
The man didn't move for several seconds.
His eyes observed the phenomenon with the same focus as before, but this time there was something different—not emotion, not fear, but a pause. A deeper re-evaluation.
"Parameter change detected," he said softly. "Ability not yet classified."
Crow didn't answer.
He wasn't even sure if he could answer.
Because right now, his focus was entirely absorbed by the sensation within his body. Something moved, not as a force he fully controlled, but as a response to his own existence. As if the system didn't just give him orders, but also… tools.
The problem was, that tool wasn't yet stable.
(Warning: Ability stability low.)
(Risk: Internal damage increases if overused.)
Crow clenched his jaw.
"Figured… nothing is free," he murmured softly.
The man finally moved again.
His steps remained calm, but this time more cautious. The distance between them was no longer just about position—now it was about understanding. Something had changed, and he wouldn't ignore it.
"Subject shows rapid adaptation," he said. "Threat level increased."
The energy in his hand formed again, but this time it was different. Denser. More focused. As if he was no longer merely executing, but beginning to take things seriously.
Crow took a deep breath.
He knew one thing clearly now.
If he tried to fight directly—
he would lose.
He lowered his hand slightly, letting that shadow dim, not disappearing completely but enough not to consume him from within. His body felt heavier, as if that brief usage had already taken something from him.
"So," he said softly, trying to keep his voice stable, "you won't stop until I'm dead."
"Correct."
That answer came without hesitation.
No room for interpretation.
Crow smiled thinly.
Not because he found a solution.
But because now the situation was honest.
He glanced quickly toward the door.
Livia was gone.
At least one problem was out of the equation.
Now what remained was only—
himself and the hunter.
Without warning, the man attacked again.
This time faster.
Energy was released in a narrower straight line but far denser, cutting through the air with a sound that was almost inaudible. Crow reacted as fast as he could, his body shifting sideways, yet still a fraction of a second too late.
The explosion struck the side of the room.
The shockwave was enough to throw Crow's body against the wall.
Hard impact.
His breath was cut off again.
For several seconds, he could only lie on the floor, trying to force air back into his lungs.
"Minimal resistance," the man said. "Still disruptive."
Crow laughed softly, his hoarse voice sounding more like a cough.
"Good," he said softly. "At least I'm considered a problem."
He forced his body to rise again.
Slow.
Heavy.
But he still stood.
(Warning: Physical condition declining.)
(Suggestion: Avoid direct confrontation.)
Crow raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Now you tell me?"
He glanced around.
The room wouldn't last long.
Cracked walls. Floor beginning to break. Every subsequent attack could collapse part of the structure.
And there, he saw an opportunity.
Not to win.
But to get out.
He shifted his steps little by little, inconspicuously, keeping the man's attention focused on his hand—on the shadow that still faintly moved around him.
"If you're serious," he said, trying to divert his opponent's focus, "why not just finish it?"
The man didn't stop.
"Efficiency," he answered. "Evaluation still required."
"So I'm some kind of… experiment?"
"Additional data is always useful."
Crow laughed shortly.
"Good. That means I still have time."
Without waiting for a response, he raised his hand again.
This time faster.
More daring.
That shadow appeared again, thicker, darker, as if something beginning to understand its own form. The air around them vibrated, pressure increased.
The man immediately responded.
The energy in his hand concentrated faster than before.
The two forces collided.
The explosion this time was bigger.
Walls shattered.
Windows cracked.
The sound of the building structure groaned loudly, as if something about to collapse.
Crow didn't wait for the result.
He was already moving even before the collision finished.
His body shot toward the door.
The man immediately gave chase.
"Escape attempt detected."
The hallway outside the apartment was empty.
Lights flickered.
The sound of Crow's footsteps echoed along the corridor, followed by the sound of a second set of footsteps—quieter, more stable.
Faster.
Crow glanced back for a moment.
Their distance wasn't increasing.
If this continued—
he would be caught.
(Suggestion: Use ability to hinder target.)
Crow grunted softly.
"If I could… I already would."
But his mind kept working.
Fast.
Looking for anything that could be used.
He stopped abruptly.
Turned around.
His hand raised again.
This time, he didn't try to attack directly.
He directed that shadow to the floor.
The darkness spread.
Like liquid.
Consuming part of the surface.
The man stepped—then stopped for a fraction of a second.
Long enough.
Crow didn't waste that moment.
He ran again.
Down the stairs.
Jumping two steps at a time.
His body felt heavy, but adrenaline covered everything.
Behind him, footsteps returned.
Faster.
Out of the building, the night air greeted him with sharp cold.
Crow didn't stop.
He ran toward the busier street, looking for crowds, lights, anything that could confuse the situation.
But before he reached the end of the street—
something struck him from the side.
His body was thrown.
Asphalt greeted him roughly.
Pain spread throughout his body.
The man stood a few meters from him.
Without dust.
Without wounds.
As if that chase meant nothing.
"Escape attempt failed," he said flatly.
Crow laughed softly.
Weaker now.
More honest.
"Yeah… I'm starting to realize that."
He tried to rise again.
But this time slower.
His body had reached its limit.
(Warning: Critical condition.)
(Suggestion: Prioritize survival.)
Crow stared at the sky for a moment.
Empty.
Dark.
Calm.
Then he looked back to the front.
To the man.
"If I have to choose…" he said softly, his voice almost inaudible, "I won't die… as something I don't understand."
His hand raised again.
For the last time that night.
And this time—
that shadow didn't just answer.
It… reacted.