The Hellion strike force advanced, a black tide of war machines and soldiers, their weapons gleaming under the dying light.
Ryo stood on the high ground, the wind whipping through his hair, his body thrumming with energy.
This time, he wasn't running.
This time, they were walking into his trap.
The Enemy Approaches
Vos adjusted his sniper scope. "Two War Walkers, twenty infantry, and one… something else."
Karin, crouched near the detonation triggers, muttered, "Define 'something else.'"
Vos exhaled. "Bigger. Meaner. Armored like a tank."
Ryo's eyes sharpened.
Then the system pinged.
> [NEW THREAT IDENTIFIED.]
[CLASS: HELLION JUGGERNAUT.]
[RECOMMENDED STRATEGY: AVOID DIRECT CONFRONTATION.]
Ryo smirked. "Not an option."
Karin shot him a glare. "You say that way too casually."
"Because I know how we're taking them down."
Springing the Trap
The Hellion forces entered the canyon.
Perfect.
Ryo raised his hand.
"Karin."
She slammed the detonator.
BOOM.
The entire canyon shook. Explosions ripped through the rock walls, sending tons of rubble crashing down.
Half of the infantry were buried instantly.
The rest scrambled, trying to reposition.
Vos fired his first shot.
A Hellion soldier's helmet exploded in a mist of red.
Karin opened fire, cutting down another before they could find cover.
Ryo leapt from the rocks, hitting the ground running.
The War Walkers adjusted, their turrets whining to life.
> [HOSTILE LOCK DETECTED.]
Ryo moved.
Fast.
A War Walker fired—
Ryo dodged, sprinting up the canyon wall, pushing off into a full-blown aerial assault.
His fist slammed into the Walkers' knee joint.
Metal crunched. Sparks flew.
The War Walker staggered.
Ryo grinned.
He was stronger now.
And he was just getting started.
The Juggernaut Enters the Fight
Then—the ground shook.
A deep, mechanical growl rumbled through the canyon.
Karin's eyes widened. "Oh, hell."
The Hellion Juggernaut stepped forward.
Ten feet tall. Layered armor plating. A heavy railgun on one arm, a massive shock hammer on the other.
> [WARNING: EXTREME THREAT LEVEL.]
[DIRECT IMPACT MAY BE FATAL.]
Ryo wiped the blood from his lip.
Then he smirked.
"Let's see who breaks first."