The man's eyes flicked toward Tyree, and for a moment, they locked gazes. There was no fear in those eyes—just a calm, unshakable resolve. "I'm Masabi," he replied, his voice steady, almost casual.
Before Tyree could react, Masabi's grip on his wrist tightened, the pressure sending a jolt of pain up Tyree's arm. And then, with a speed that Tyree couldn't anticipate, Masabi's other fist shot forward. Tyree barely had time to tense his muscles before the punch connected with his face, the force of it like a hammer blow.
His vision went white with pain as he was launched backward, his body slamming into the ground with a sickening thud. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he rolled to a stop, gasping for air, his face throbbing with the aftershock of the punch.
Masabi, not even sparing Tyree a second glance, turned his focus to the boy. The boy, who had been so sure of himself moments ago, now looked unsure, his smirk wiped clean from his face.
