As Souta and Yuki approached the mysterious figure, they could feel the tension in the air, as if it were tangible. They moved with a grace and precision that left the figure dumbfounded, and they were ready for anything he might throw their way.
The figure, hidden behind his sniper rifle, smirked as he watched them approach, feeling confident in the many traps he had set up around the area. But Souta and Yuki were too skilled for that. They moved with a fluidity and grace that left the figure in awe.
As the figure opened fire, Souta and Yuki dodged each bullet with ease, their movements perfectly synchronized. They knew that one misstep could mean certain death, and they were determined to come out of this alive.
The house where the figure was hiding was littered with landmines and tripwires rigged to trigger hidden explosives, but this didn't stop them. With Souta's support, Yuki managed to jump onto the house's roof, break a window with her rifle, and raid the house.
Inside the house, the figure tried to hold his ground, firing his rifle frantically. But Yuki was too fast for him, moving with lightning speed and knocking his rifle out of his hand with a swift kick. The figure cowered in fear as Yuki grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the house.
As they emerged from the house, Souta felt a surge of adrenaline, but he remained calm and composed. "Is this your doing?" he asked the figure from a distance. "Let us come closer first. It's awkward talking to you from here."
The figure, an old man in his 50s, led them to a path with no traps whatsoever. Souta checked the radar, and there were no traps in sight. They then sat in chairs prepared by Mimi, and Souta began to question the old man.
"How did you even plant all those traps by yourself?" Souta asked, trying to make the conversation sound more casual.
"Heh, you might not believe me, but I was a soldier back in my day," the old man replied with a sly grin.
"Well, the landmines are proof enough," Souta quipped, trying to add some humor to the tense situation. "What's your name?"
"Albert," the old man replied with a chuckle.
Souta looked around at their surroundings and asked, "Are you alone?"
"Sadly, yes," Albert replied, his smile fading.
"How about joining us?" Souta proposed, hoping to recruit the skilled sniper. "You're a sniper, and I find it interesting that you're not just an ordinary soldier."
"I can't do that. I'm already an old man, and I'll just cause you trouble," Albert said, his eyes downcast.
"I don't care. Come with us," Souta said, looking at Albert with determination in his eyes.
"You have nice eyes, but I'm sure they'll lead you to your downfall someday," Albert said, Yuki who is standing behind Souta got triggered by his comment and pointed her rifle on Albert, she looked at him with a terrifying eyes
"Calm down, Yuki," Souta said, trying to defuse the tension. "I'll join you. I'm going to die someday anyway, and I want to see what you can do before I do."
Souta couldn't help but admire Albert's courage and sense of humor, even in the face of danger. As they prepared to continue their journey together, Souta knew that he had made the right decision in recruiting this skilled sniper