The transport roared, its engines screaming at full throttle as it tore across the wasteland.
But the Reaper?
It was gaining.
The Monster in Pursuit
Ryo watched from the rear hatch, heart hammering as the figure closed the gap.
Not running.
Not flying.
It was gliding—every step too precise, too fast, too unnatural.
The dust and debris kicked up around it, but the Reaper never stumbled, never slowed.
> [WARNING: HOSTILE SIGNATURE MAINTAINING PURSUIT.]
[DISTANCE: 400 METERS… 300 METERS…]
Vos cursed from the gunner's seat. "This is insane."
Karin snarled, gripping the wheel. "We are in a GODDAMN VEHICLE, and that thing is catching up on foot!"
Serra's voice was sharp. "If it reaches us, we're dead."
Ryo's grip tightened.
Then there was only one option.
Turn and Fight
He grabbed the roof railing, hauling himself up.
The wind howled past him, dust stinging his eyes.
Krieg climbed up beside him, massive arms bracing against the transport.
> "You sure about this, Ironborn?"
Ryo smirked. "Not at all."
> "Ohhh, now we're talking. Let's see how good you really are, rookie."
The Reaper was 200 meters out.
> Vos's sniper fired.
The bullet ripped toward the Reaper's head.
And then—
The Reaper vanished.
Too Fast
Vos swore. "What the fuck—?!"
The Reaper reappeared instantly, now only 100 meters away.
Its single glowing red eye locked onto Ryo.
And then—
It spoke.
> "Prototype 001. You will be erased."
Ryo's blood turned ice-cold.
It knew him.
Not as an enemy.
Not as a target.
As a failed experiment.
> "Oh, shit. You just got upgraded from 'nuisance' to 'mistake that needs fixing.'"
The First Strike
The Reaper raised an arm—
A plasma blade ignited, humming with unstable red energy.
Then—
It launched forward.
Not running. Teleporting.
> [HOSTILE RELOCATION DETECTED.]
[REACTION WINDOW: 0.8 SECONDS.]
Not enough time to dodge.
So Ryo didn't.
Instead—he braced.
The Reaper appeared above him, blade arcing down.
Ryo caught it with both hands.
Sparks exploded, heat searing into his palms.
The force **slammed him to one knee—**the Reaper pushing down, trying to cleave him in half.
> [INTERNAL DAMAGE: MINIMAL.]
[PHYSICAL STRENGTH MATCH: 78%.]
Not enough.
Ryo gritted his teeth.
Then he pushed back.
The Ironborn Awakens
The Reaper's helmet tilted, almost intrigued.
> "You are adapting. Good. But not enough."
It kicked him in the chest.
Ryo flew back, skidding across the roof of the transport.
Krieg lunged in, swinging his massive hammer.
The Reaper caught it. With one hand.
Then it ripped it from Krieg's grasp—
And smashed him off the vehicle.
"KRIEG!" Karin screamed.
Ryo didn't see where he landed.
Because the Reaper was already coming for him again.
And this time—
It wasn't holding back.