Billy wiped the blood from his chaos blade, his breath still heavy from the fight. The whispers in his mind had quieted, but the tension in his muscles hadn’t faded. Reinhardt lay unconscious at his feet, his broken weapon discarded beside him.

The mercenary leader had been strong, but Billy had been stronger.

Yet his words lingered in Billy’s mind.

"Your real enemy? They’re already watching you."

Billy’s gaze swept over the ruined throne room. The shattered pillars, the flickering torches barely clinging to life—this place had been reduced to nothing but a battlefield. And he was certain now: this wasn’t just some mercenary job. Someone powerful had sent Reinhardt after him.

And they were watching.

Billy exhaled sharply and turned. He needed to move. If Reinhardt had backup, they wouldn’t wait long before making a move.

But before he could take a step—

A sharp crack rang through the air.

Billy twisted on instinct. A bullet whizzed past his ear, slamming into the stone floor beside him.

Sniper.

He dove behind a broken pillar just as another shot rang out, chipping away at the stone. A high-caliber round—precision and power. Whoever was out there wasn’t some common thug.

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Billy’s mind raced. His wound ached, but adrenaline kept him sharp.

They planned this.

Reinhardt wasn’t just here to fight—he was here to stall.

A third shot rang out, barely missing his leg. Billy gritted his teeth. He couldn’t afford to stay pinned down.

His chaos blade pulsed in his grip.

Use me. Reach further. Strike unseen.

Billy suppressed the voice and focused. He had to move—fast.

He counted. One… two…

On the third shot, he moved.

A blur of motion.

Billy dashed from cover, zigzagging between debris. The sniper fired, but he was already a step ahead. The moment the next shot rang out, Billy pinpointed the source.

A shadowed figure on the upper balcony. Cloaked. Hidden. But not for long.

Billy reached for his belt and pulled out a throwing knife. He barely hesitated before launching it.

A perfect arc.

The blade cut through the air. The sniper shifted—too late. The knife embedded itself in their shoulder. A muffled grunt followed, and the figure staggered back.

Billy didn’t waste the opening. He bolted toward the nearest staircase, pushing through the pain in his ribs.

As he ascended, he heard rapid footsteps—his attacker was retreating.

Not happening.

Billy pushed harder, reaching the top just in time to see the sniper slipping through a hidden passage. He rushed forward, but the passage sealed shut behind them, the mechanisms grinding into place.

Billy cursed under his breath. He slammed a fist against the door. Locked tight.

He turned back toward the battlefield below. Reinhardt was still unconscious. The mercenary’s words echoed in his head once more.

"You’ll find out soon enough."

Billy exhaled. He needed to get out of here before more enemies arrived.

And he needed answers.

He glanced at Reinhardt one last time.

Then he sheathed his chaos blade and disappeared into the shadows.

The real hunt had just begun.

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END OF CHAPTER 86