Chapter 8: The Taste of Defeat

Kieran’s muscles screamed in protest as he forced himself up. His instincts howled at him—fight, survive, evolve.

But his body… wasn’t ready.

The woman didn’t move, her cold gaze locked onto him. The man dusted off his coat, rolling his shoulders as if the previous blow was nothing.

"Tough kid," the man chuckled. "But talent alone won’t save you."

Kieran clenched his fists. Move. Fight. Don’t lose.

The woman vanished.

No—she moved too fast.

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Before he could react, a devastating shockwave slammed into him, sending him crashing into the alley wall. His vision blurred. He gasped for breath, his ribs burning.

The system flickered.

[Warning: Critical Damage Detected.]

[Auto-Repair in Progress… Insufficient Synchronization.]

His body was breaking down.

Kieran gritted his teeth. Was this it?

The woman stepped closer, her expression unreadable. “Give up.”

Give up?

No.

But before he could try again—

A gunshot rang out.

The bullet wasn’t aimed at him.

The woman dodged, her body twisting as the bullet grazed her coat. The man cursed, eyes scanning the rooftops.

"Interference?"

A blur of movement. Someone was there—another figure, masked and armed.

Kieran barely registered what was happening as a strong hand grabbed his arm.

"Get up if you want to live."

The voice was sharp, urgent. A new player. An ally?

No time to think.

Kieran pushed through the pain and ran.

Tonight, he lost.

But next time?

He’d make sure they were the ones running from him.