Knox's laughter echoed in the ruined safehouse.
She wiped the blood from her lip, tilting her head at me with that same thrill-seeking grin.
I had just hit her.
Hard.
And instead of being pissed, she looked delighted.
I exhaled sharply, trying to steady my stance. My body still burned from whatever the hell I had just done.
Moving like that—vanishing for half a second—had drained me far more than I expected.
And Knox had barely even flinched.
That wasn't enough to stop her.
📩 [System Alert – Administrator's Stamina Decreasing Rapidly]
👾 Administrator (Me): That… took more out of me than I thought.
💀 I'm Not a Bad Slime: Yeah, no kidding. The system says you basically forced your body past its natural limits.
⚔️ The Lone Wolf: You're running out of gas, and she knows it.
I clenched my fists. They were right.
I had one more shot at this.
If I didn't end this fight now, I wasn't making it out of here alive.
Knox straightened, cracking her neck. "That was fun. But you look like you're about done, kid."
I forced myself to smirk. "Yeah? You're still standing, so I guess I haven't tried hard enough."
Her smile widened. "Then let's change that."
And then she attacked.
📩 [System Alert – Incoming Attack Detected]
Knox moved faster than before.
I barely dodged as her knife slashed toward my ribs.
She pressed forward, her footwork so smooth and aggressive that I could barely react.
Another strike—too fast to dodge.
I raised my arm just in time—
SLASH.
Her blade cut deep into my forearm.
I gritted my teeth, refusing to scream as blood trickled down my sleeve.
📩 [Administrator Injured – Moderate Laceration Detected]
👾 Administrator (Me): I'm running out of moves here!
🕷️ Peter Parker: You need a game-changer—NOW!
⚔️ The Lone Wolf: You have weapons. Use them.
💀 I'm Not a Bad Slime: Your body might not last much longer. If you're going to draw that sword, do it soon.
I exhaled sharply.
They were right.
I couldn't play defensive forever.
I needed to go all in.
I needed to end this.
Knox lunged again—this time aiming straight for my throat.
I didn't dodge.
I reached for Rebellion.
📩 [System Alert – Weapon Draw Detected]
In a single motion, I unsheathed the massive blade, twisting my body into a defensive stance.
Knox's eyes widened slightly—just for a second.
Her knife clashed against Rebellion's steel—
Sparks flew.
For the first time in this fight, she was the one caught off guard.
Her stance had been too aggressive, assuming I would dodge again.
Now she was too close—within my striking range.
My chance.
I twisted the blade—knocking her knife to the side—
Then I swung.
📩 [System Alert – Critical Strike Attempt]
Knox reacted instantly, throwing herself backward.
My blade sliced through the air, missing her by mere inches.
She landed in a crouch, eyes narrowed.
For the first time—she looked serious.
"So," she muttered, flipping the knife in her grip. "You were holding back after all."
I gripped Rebellion tighter.
She wasn't playing anymore.
And that meant I had one last shot at survival.
I adjusted my stance, ignoring the exhaustion creeping into my muscles.
"Come on, then," I said, voice steadier than I felt. "Let's finish this."
Knox smirked.
Then she lunged.
And I met her head-on.
Meanwhile – Third Person POV
Reed reloaded his pistol, keeping his aim steady as he peeked around the wreckage of an overturned table.
Knox and Reyes were fully engaged now, the sound of clashing steel and rapid footwork filling the space.
"How the hell is she still alive?" Claire muttered beside him.
Reed didn't answer.
Because he had no idea.
The kid shouldn't have lasted this long.
But somehow, Reyes was holding her own—barely.
Still, it wouldn't last.
Knox was too good.
And Reyes?
She was out of time.
He clenched his jaw.
They needed to get her out of there.
Now.
📩 [System Alert – Proximity Warning]
👾 Administrator (Me): What now?!
📩 [New Hostile Presence Approaching – Estimated Arrival: 30 Seconds]
💀 I'm Not a Bad Slime: Uh… you're about to have company.
🕷️ Peter Parker: WHAT COMPANY?!
📩 [Unknown Signature Detected – Identity Unconfirmed]
⚔️ The Lone Wolf: Whoever it is, you can't stay there.
Reed's grip on his gun tightened as his earpiece crackled to life.
A voice—low and distorted.
"All units, the target is confirmed. Move in."
His blood ran cold.
More bounty hunters.
No—something worse.
He turned to Claire. "We need to move. Now."
Claire stared at him. "But Reyes—"
Reed's grip on his gun tightened as his earpiece crackled to life.
A voice—low and distorted.
"All units, the target is confirmed. Move in."
His blood ran cold.
More bounty hunters.
No—something worse.
He turned to Claire. "We need to move. Now."
Claire stared at him. "But Reyes—"
Reed exhaled sharply, jaw clenched. "She won't last against all of them. We have to get her out of there."
Claire hesitated for half a second. Then she nodded.
Reed took a deep breath, aiming toward Knox—then toward Reyes.
Then he pulled the trigger.
A single gunshot rang out.