Pain flared through Ryo's side.
The Reaper's blade had cut deep, searing straight through muscle and cybernetic tissue.
But he didn't fall.
Because this wasn't just about survival.
This was about who was stronger.
And Ryo refused to be the one left in the dirt.
The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
The Reaper tilted its head, watching him. "Still standing? Impressive."
It vanished again.
Ryo's mind snapped into focus.
Everything slowed.
He could feel the shift in air pressure. The faint ripple of movement.
And just as the Reaper reappeared—
Ryo moved first.
The Counterattack
He twisted, catching the Reaper's wrist mid-strike.
The assassin's visor flickered.
> "Predicting me now? Interesting."
Ryo didn't answer.
Instead—he yanked the Reaper forward, driving his knee into its chest.
CRACK.
The Reaper stumbled, and Ryo pressed the advantage.
A left hook to the jaw.
A brutal elbow to the throat.
Then—he grabbed the assassin's blade arm.
And ripped it clean off.
The Killing Blow
The Reaper staggered back, sparks flying from the severed limb.
For the first time, it hesitated.
Then—it laughed.
> "So that's your true potential."
Ryo didn't hesitate.
He lunged forward—
And drove his fist straight through the Reaper's chest.
End of a Nightmare
The assassin twitched, its red visor flickering.
It tried to speak.
But then—
The light died from its eyes.
And it collapsed.
Silence.
Then—cheering.
Victory at a Price
Karin exhaled. "Holy shit. You just killed a Reaper."
Vos shook his head. "No. He beat it at its own game."
Serra stepped forward, scanning the fallen assassin. "Hellion won't like this."
Krieg grinned, wiping blood from his lip. "Good."
Ryo rolled his shoulders, breathing heavily.
The pain hadn't gone away.
But neither had his focus.
This war wasn't over.
It had only just begun.