The pause did not last.
The moment Rahim gained that small advantage, the figure changed its approach.
The pressure increased.
Not outward, but inward, focused entirely on Rahim. The space around him tightened again, similar to what the enforcers had done, but far more refined.
Rahim felt the difference immediately.
This was not imitation.
This was the source.
He exhaled slowly, letting the pressure settle against him instead of resisting it directly.
If he pushed back blindly, he would lose.
So he adjusted.
The next attack came from the side.
Rahim did not turn fully. He shifted just enough to let it pass, then used the movement to reposition himself.
The figure followed instantly.
Always aligned.
Always correct.
Rahim's expression grew more focused.
You are not stronger than them.
He spoke calmly.
Just better.
For the first time, the figure responded immediately.
Correct.
The word carried no pride.
Just truth.
Rahim nodded slightly.
Then I just have to break that.
The next exchange was faster.
Not chaotic.
But sharper.
Rahim stopped trying to match perfection.
Instead, he moved differently.
Not efficiently.
Not predictably.
His attacks no longer followed clean lines or logical sequences. They were slightly off. Slightly irregular.
And for something built on perfect calculation
That created delay.
Small.
But real.
The figure adjusted.
But not instantly.
Rahim stepped into that gap.
And struck again.
[ Thank you for reading!
Add this to your library if you like it! đź’– ]