Her eyes narrowed as she observed him run.

Running. How cowardly. If he must engage in combat, he must fight or make a tactical retreat. This scum had done neither.

She exhaled. This world had gone to ruination since she’d last arrived. Heroes? More like glorified figurines who posed for the public. They had no idea of the real threat there was.

And these people. Scum, scouring the underworld of cities and killing anybody who got in their way. She had no idea what their objectives were, but she did know they were all part of a larger organization, lurking in the shadows. But what?

“You ready?” a voice asked.

She didn’t turn as she replied, “Indeed. Are you certain?”

“Yep!” her partner said. “He has the same mark as the other guy.”

“Hm.” She clenched her sword tightly and winced inside. She was grateful to have a weapon, and this was no doubt a mighty blade. However, she couldn't help but compare it to her own and find it lacking.

“You okay?”

She stared at her partner. This was strictly professional, and both of them had agreed to it. Why was she acting so soft?

Her partner’s eyes shone with concern. “Come on, let's do this.” She took out a crossbow and aimed for the criminal.

She tensed in anticipation. The answers were so close!

An arrow whizzed through the air cleanly, aimed straight for the man’s legs. As it was about to enter the flesh, a flash of silver blocked it.

Her partner’s mouth fell open. “What the heck?!”

Her eyes narrowed. A flash of silver. “There’s somebody else!”

Her partner’s eyes widened, and she felt the same. More people met more trouble and more risk of getting caught. She needed to end this quickly.

“Stay here and target!” she hissed before pushing off the roof.

The wall crunched as she flew through the air, landing on the ground and creating a small crater. Instantaneously, she had to bend her back to avoid a blade.

Knocking it away with her sword, she found her target. Swathed in shadows, making it nearly impossible to see who they were.

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“My my, what do we have here?” The voice was masculine. “It seems somebody has wandered in.”

He lashed out and she blocked the blade, grunting as more force was applied. He was strong; far stronger than any mortal or one with circuits.

She kicked him on the chest and he disappeared as he flew back into the shadows. Her eyes flicked everywhere, straining to find him.

There!

She dodged to the side as he slammed down from the sky. He slashed to the side and she leaned her neck back, escaping a slit in her throat by millimeters.

“Wow wow wow. Interesting!” He cackled. “It’s been so long since I had a challenge!”

She found her footing, clenching her hilt tighter. He was good. Strength, speed, and the disappearance factor. She slid into a stance with her feet slightly spread out and the sword up to her shoulder, tip pointed at her opponent's head.

He smirked before leaning onto his back leg, aiming his weapon lower.

They stayed like this, each one unwilling to move. She scanned his stance and weapon. A slim rapier. Meant for quick jabs. If she could clash their blades for long enough-

Now!

He leaped forward, vanishing in a burst of dust. He reappeared in front of her, his rapier about to pierce her neck-

CLANG!

She blocked, forcing him down onto the ground. She began a ferocious sequence of attacks, parrying and thrusting. Her opponent cackled like a madman as he swerved and dodged, skillfully thwarting every move she made with minimal energy exerted.

Sweat trickled down her face as the fight drew out longer. She wasn’t a fool. She knew she was just stalling.

“You seem to be slowing! Why not stand down and let me cut YOU!” He swung and this time was different.

The air stilled and everything became dim. His sword split into multiple, each one striking at her. There was no time! She needed to block-

SCHINK!

Blood splattered against the alleyway. She twitched as blood trickled down her stomach and onto the floor. Her eyes were ringing. He gazed wide-eyed. There was a standstill.

Then-

“My god! You are so fascinating!” He flicked his tongue. “I was hoping for a bit more blood, but look at you!”

Her muscles straining, she was blocking his sword from penetrating any organs.

“What move was that?” she spoke for the first time.

He sneered. “A move meant to kill.”

She wasn’t satisfied with the lackluster answer. “You went so fast you created after images. No ordinary being could achieve that.” Not even somebody with Circuits went unsaid. Just who were these people!?

He tipped his head. “Good thing neither of us is ordinary.”

“We shall reengage,” she stated, sliding her sword out and leaping over him.

“Hm, I don’t think so. My client is here,” he said.

“Who?”

The man chuckled. “My my, we don’t just hand out information. Not without the proper. . .encouragement.” He waggled his fingers suggestively.

“If you believe I will waste money on a cur like you, you are sadly mistaken. Now, we begin!”

She blitzed out of view for a moment before reappearing in front of him. She began the slash at his chest when something at the corner of her eyes caught her attention. She jumped back as far as she could.

SMASH!!

Chunks of debris and dust rose from the demolished ground, and she only saw a large outline of a figure. It was clear whose side he was on though, as he helped the previous man up to his feet after the blow knocked him down.

Her eyes immediately gravitated towards the blade hammer the newcomer wielded and cursed. Those who used that were rare, because of the extraordinaire strength required to lift it, yet were revered on the battlefront as great warriors.

“Wonderful. Where is that brat?!” she asked as they began to converge.