Aiko's heart pounded.
"Again."
She adjusted her stance, gripping the pipe tighter. This time, she saw his movement—the shift in weight before he struck. She raised the pipe and deflected the knife.
Ryoji gave a short nod. "Better. But not good enough."
Aiko took a breath. "Then let's go again."
For the first time, she saw something in his eyes that wasn't cold calculation.
It was approval.
But the moment didn't last.
A vibration rumbled through the tunnel. Faint at first—then stronger. Footsteps.
Ryoji tensed. "They found the entrance."
Aiko turned toward the darkness ahead. "What do we do?"
Ryoji sheathed his knife. "We stop running."
He glanced at her. "Lesson three."
She raised her pipe, ready. "What is it?"
His voice was calm. "When they come for you—make sure they regret it."
The footsteps grew louder. Shadows filled the tunnel.
And then the fight began.
The first attacker came fast. Ryoji was faster.
A black-clad agent lunged from the tunnel's darkness, silencer raised. Ryoji pivoted, grabbed the man's wrist, and slammed his elbow into his throat. The agent choked, staggered—Ryoji seized his gun, spun it, and fired. The second agent dropped before he could aim.
Aiko barely had time to process it before another figure rushed her. She swung the pipe—wild, desperate. The attacker ducked, grabbed her arm. Pain shot up her wrist as she struggled, but then—instinct. She twisted her body, driving her knee into the agent's stomach. He grunted, loosening his grip.
Ryoji's voice cut through the chaos. "Don't hesitate!"
Aiko didn't. She brought the pipe down, cracking it across the agent's jaw. He crumpled.
More were coming. Flashlights flickered in the distance, shadows moving fast. The tunnel echoed with orders—cold, professional.
"Target acquired. Engage."
Ryoji grabbed Aiko's arm. "Move."
They sprinted deeper into the tunnel, water splashing beneath their feet. The air was thick, stale—no fresh airflow. A dead end.
Aiko's pulse pounded. "There's no way out."
Ryoji scanned the walls. Pipes. Rusted metal panels. His mind worked fast. Think.
The gunfire started. Bullets sparked against the concrete. Aiko hit the ground, covering her head.
Ryoji ripped a pipe from the wall. Steam hissed as scalding vapor shot out, blinding their pursuers. He grabbed Aiko, pulling her behind a support beam.
"Lesson four," he said, voice low. "Your surroundings are your weapon."
Aiko nodded, gripping the pipe tighter.
The agents advanced cautiously through the steam. One raised a flashlight. Ryoji was already moving. He grabbed a handful of dirt, flung it into the man's eyes, and closed the distance. A single, brutal strike—knife to the ribs. The agent dropped.
Aiko had no time to react before another figure lunged at her. She swung the pipe, but he was expecting it. He caught it, yanked it forward. She stumbled—then remembered lesson two.
She let go.
The agent wasn't expecting that. Off-balance for a split second. That's all she needed. She drove her elbow into his throat, then grabbed his arm and wrenched it back. A sharp pop—he screamed, collapsing.
Ryoji smirked. "Not bad."
But they were still surrounded.
More lights. More voices.
Then—something worse.
A mechanical hum.
Aiko's stomach turned. "Drones."
Ryoji's jaw clenched. "They're sealing the exits."
No more running. No more hiding.
This was a kill zone.
Aiko looked at him. "Lesson five?"
Ryoji checked his stolen pistol, then met her gaze.
"We make them regret it."
The gunfire started again.
And they fought.
The tunnel erupted in chaos.
Gunfire rattled off the walls, sparks flying as bullets tore through concrete. Ryoji moved first—grabbing Aiko, yanking her down just as a round shredded the air where her head had been. No hesitation. No second chances.
"Stay low," he ordered.
They sprinted, boots splashing through the filthy tunnel water. The air was thick with gunpowder and steam, the oppressive heat making every breath burn.
Behind them, the agents advanced in tight formation. Flashlights cut through the haze. The whir of drones echoed through the cavernous space, scanning, tracking.
Ryoji's eyes darted—calculating. They couldn't win this fight. Not like this.
A ladder. Rusted, bolted into the wall, leading up to a maintenance hatch. No time to think.
"Climb!" he barked.
Aiko hesitated for only a second before scrambling up. Her muscles burned, but adrenaline kept her moving. Ryoji held his ground below, raising the stolen pistol. Two quick shots—two agents down. The rest scattered for cover.
More bullets ripped through the tunnel. One punched into Ryoji's coat, missing flesh by an inch. He swore, firing back before gripping the ladder and hauling himself up.
The hatch groaned as Aiko shoved it open. Cold night air rushed in. She pulled herself onto the street—a service alley lined with dumpsters, the neon skyline towering above.
Ryoji followed, slamming the hatch shut behind them.
A moment's silence. Then—
A car screeched to a halt at the alley's mouth. Black sedan. Unmarked. The Agency.
Aiko spun. "They—"
Ryoji grabbed her wrist. "Move!"
To be continued in Chapter 6...