My A.R.M at my waist beeped again.
"Why did you cut the connection earlier!?" the woman's voice burst through—panicked, angry. "Do you even have a plan to get us out of here alive!?"
I kept watching the three hunters from above.
"I have a plan," I replied flatly. "Send the Nexbit, then stay quiet and follow my instructions."
"Hah—!? You—!"
Gunfire rang out from their side.
"Aaaah! Fine!!" she shouted. "You'd better watch yourself when we meet in the city! I'll pay you back for this! And don't you dare cut the connection again! Got it!?"
I let out a long breath.
"Reina."
"Yes?"
"The advance payment?"
"It's already in. 1000 Nexbit."
A faint smile formed on my lips.
"Good."
I refocused.
"Three targets. Full gear. Heavy weapons."
My eyes locked onto the one in the center.
"Reina. Can you take the shot from here?"
"I can."
"Okay. Target the grenade pouch on the one in the middle. Take control."
"Understood."
Reina disappeared.
In an instant—my body felt lighter.
Control shifted.
My hand moved on its own. The pistol rose.
I reopened the connection.
"Listen," I said. "When I say 'now,' get out and run west. Don't stop."
"What kind of code is that—!? Are you using us as bait!?" the woman shouted. "You only get your money if we make it back to Firmament alive!"
I didn't answer.
"Reina."
"Calculations complete."
"Status?"
"Optimal distance. Wind stable. Minimal bullet deviation."
She paused.
"…but your hand will hurt."
"Doesn't matter," I said quietly. "Do it."
The finger pulled the trigger.
BANG!
The bullet shot forward.
Time seemed to slow.
Target—direct hit.
BOOOOM!!
A massive explosion shook the ruins.
The hunter in the middle was blown apart along with his grenade pouch.
I grimaced.
"Agh…!"
Pain surged through my prosthetic arm.
But I didn't stop.
"NOW!" I shouted into the A.R.M. "Get out and run!"
The door of the small building burst open.
Two figures ran out—sprinting west as fast as they could.
And the remaining two hunters—
Were stunned.
"Two targets left," I said quietly.
"Status?" I asked.
Reina was still controlling my body.
"Two targets. Panicked. Our position has been visually spotted, but not yet locked by thermal sensors."
She paused.
"Remaining bullets: nine. Next move?"
I glanced west.
"Get down. Chase the one closest to the clients."
"Understood."
Then I saw it.
A long cable, hanging from the top of a building to the ground.
"…Reina," I said. "Use that."
She looked at it. "You're serious?"
"Faster."
"Your arm will—"
"I know," I cut in. "Just do it."
"…Tch," she muttered. "Fine. Don't complain later."
My body moved.
My hand—that mechanical hand—grabbed the cable.
And then—
I slid down.
Fast.
Too fast.
"Agh—!!"
The friction between metal and cable sent burning pain through my entire arm.
It felt like it was being torn apart.
But I didn't let go.
"Arche!" Reina shouted. "Eastern target is aiming at us!"
I ignored the pain.
"The baton—use it!"
My other hand moved, grabbing the baton.
"Reckless," Reina muttered. "But… it might work."
BANG!
A bullet came flying.
My hand moved.
TING!
The baton deflected it.
A small angle. Perfect precision. The bullet ricocheted aside.
"—!"
A second shot came.
My body twisted slightly.
TING!
Deflected again.
A thin scratch appeared on the baton.
"Don't break," Reina muttered.
A third bullet—
I dodged.
The wind from it brushed past my cheek.
Then—
KRAK.
My feet hit the ground.
I immediately let go of the cable.
My body staggered slightly.
Heavy breathing.
My arm… still trembling.
"…insane," I muttered.
"Focus," Reina said.
"Status?"
"One target chasing the clients. One chasing us."
A faint smile crossed my face.
"Good."
I started running west.
"We go to the clients first."
Reina didn't answer.
But my body was already moving.
And this time—
I was the one hunting them.
I ran.
Dust scattered with every step.
"Distance: 30 meters," Reina said quickly. "Clients are still running… slow. Too slow."
I gritted my teeth.
"This arm…" I muttered.
Still burning. Still in pain.
"The target is about to catch them!" Reina shouted.
"Reina—" my breathing was heavy. "Use magic."
"No. Your body—"
"Forget it!" I snapped. "Catch him now!"
Reina went silent for a split second.
"…fine."
She let out a small sigh.
"Basic Neural Transmission Formula: Acceleration."
A faint silver light wrapped around my body.
Then—
Gone.
My body felt lighter.
My steps—burst forward.
Reina stepped on the rubble, then—
I jumped.
High.
Very high.
The wind slammed into my face.
"Distance: 11 meters!" Reina shouted. "Target is holding a long-barrel rifle!"
I saw him.
He was aiming.
At the clients.
"DODGE!!" I shouted from midair.
BANG!
The woman immediately leapt aside while carrying her companion.
The bullet—
SRRT!
Grazed her leg.
"Ah—!!"
She fell behind the rubble.
The hunter turned.
His eyes met mine.
BANG!
He fired.
My hand moved.
TING!
The bullet bounced off the baton.
The hunter's eyes widened.
"Haaah!?"
He tried to pull the trigger again—
But I had already landed.
TAP!
I landed right in front of him.
My hand—that prosthetic hand—
Grabbed his face.
"Aaaghhh!!" he screamed.
Heat.
The metal was still hot.
His skin blistered instantly.
I endured the pain in my arm.
Reina took over.
The pistol rose.
BANG!
The bullet pierced through his head from the side.
His body went limp instantly.
Silent.
I let go.
The body fell to the ground.
Heavy breathing.
"…good," I muttered. "His gear is still intact."
"Arche!" Reina's voice rose. "One more!"
I turned.
Behind me—
BANG!
A gunshot echoed.
A bullet shot straight toward me.