The alley felt smaller with three men closing in.
The biggest one cracked his knuckles, stepping forward like a wall of muscle. The smaller thug—the one Ethan fought earlier—stood behind him, smirking with a swollen lip.
"You should've minded your business," he spat. "Now you're both dead."
Ethan's body screamed with pain, but he forced himself to stand taller.
Behind him, the girl trembled so hard that he could feel it through her grip on his sleeve. Her breath hitched, shallow and fast.
He whispered, "Stay behind me. No matter what."
She nodded, though her fear was obvious.
The system chimed softly.
[MISSION STATUS: ACTIVE]
[Protect the target for remaining time.]
[Time left: 02:58:32]
Three hours.
Ethan swallowed. Keeping her safe for that long felt impossible if the men didn't back off now.
The smallest thug gestured at Ethan mockingly.
"Get him."
The biggest man rushed forward.
Ethan dodged, but his earlier adrenaline boost was gone. The punch grazed his ribs and the force flung him sideways, air knocked out of his lungs.
He hit the ground hard.
"Ethan!" the girl cried.
He lifted his arm weakly. "Stay back!"
The second man approached her.
Ethan's vision sharpened instantly.
No.
No one touches her.
He forced himself upright, ignoring the screaming pain in his shoulder.
But he was too slow—
—until the system suddenly flickered.
DING.
[Temporary Skill Unlocked: Survival Instinct Lv.1]
[Effect: Slight boost in reaction speed during life-threatening situations.]
Slight boost was better than none.
The thug reached for the girl's arm.
Ethan surged forward, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and twisted. The man yelled in pain. Ethan slammed his knee into the thug's stomach, forcing him back.
The girl stumbled away, clutching her bag.
The biggest man grabbed Ethan from behind and lifted him off the ground. Ethan's feet dangled helplessly.
"Got you this time," the brute growled.
Ethan choked, fighting for air.
The system pinged again.
[WARNING: Physical damage critical.]
[If knocked unconscious, mission fails.]
Ethan elbowed backward wildly, hitting the brute's jaw. It stunned him enough for Ethan to slip free and drop to the ground, coughing.
Behind them, the smallest thug barked:
"Enough! Stop playing with him!"
He pulled something from his pocket.
Metal glinted under the streetlight.
A switchblade.
"Let's finish him already."
The girl gasped, covering her mouth.
Ethan positioned himself in front of her again, breath ragged.
00:02:55:02
00:02:55:01
00:02:55:00…
The timer kept ticking, uncaring.
The thug with the knife approached, fury burning in his eyes.
Ethan braced himself—
Then sirens wailed from a distance.
Everyone froze.
The smallest thug cursed. "You called backup?!"
Ethan shook his head. "I didn't—"
But the men didn't wait to confirm.
"Go! Go!"
They sprinted out of the alley, disappearing into the street before the approaching patrol cars turned the corner.
Ethan collapsed to one knee, chest heaving.
The girl knelt beside him. "Ethan—are you hurt?"
He nodded weakly. "I'll live."
The system chimed.
[MID-MISSION UPDATE:]
[Threat temporarily retreating.]
[New directive: Move the target to a safe location.]
[Timer continues.]
The girl looked at him anxiously. "Safe location? Where?"
Ethan didn't want to say it.
But there was no other option.
"My apartment," he said quietly. "It's close… and I can watch you there."
She hesitated only a second before nodding.
"…Okay."
Because she knew—just like he did—the men would be back.
And next time, they wouldn't run.