There were no signs of panic.
No prolonged struggle.
Just...
Efficient killing.
His eyes followed the trail of blood.
Straight toward the exit.
He took one deep breath.
Then bolted.
"I'm getting you this time."
The prison doors burst open behind him as he sprinted into the streets.
---
Elsewhere—
Taai stood alone atop the training grounds.
The morning wind brushed past him.
His fists slowly tightened.
"...Akari..."
His voice barely carried.
"...What happened to you?"
He closed his eyes.
The smiling girl he remembered...
And the silent assassin from yesterday...
They refused to become the same person in his mind.
And somewhere out there, the assassin had already escaped.
---
Far beneath Muscle City—
Far below the streets—
Past forgotten tunnels.
Past abandoned chambers.
Inside a hidden laboratory—
Rows of restraints lined the walls.
Broken instruments.
Fresh blood.
Mana conduits glowed faintly.
At the center—
A steel operating table.
Upon it...
A body.
Human.
Yet not.
Gray flesh pulsed beneath the skin.
Muscle fibers twitched unnaturally.
Black veins intertwined with faintly glowing Magic Circuits.
Its chest rose.
Then fell.
Slowly.
Then—
Its eyes opened.
Golden pupils.
Vertical.
Not human.
The creature inhaled.
The circuits beneath its skin flickered once.
Dr. Z adjusted his glasses.
Then smiled.
A wide.
Satisfied.
Terrifying smile.
"...Beautiful."
The creature slowly turned its head toward him.
And smiled back.