Mattheos' mind raced as he weighed his options, knowing that the only thing standing between him and certain death was his ability to outthink an opponent who had already calculated several steps ahead.
The golden strands danced in hypnotic patterns, a mockery of the doom they heralded. Minwoo's grin remained frozen in place, as if savoring the moment before pulling the trigger, relishing the fear in the rabbit's eyes.
Time seemed to stretch, each second heavy with the anticipation of violence.
Matt clenched his fists, adrenaline spiking as he considered his next move, knowing full well that running wasn't an option—not with Minwoo's unyielding gaze locked onto him like a predator to its prey.
Mattheos' thoughts spiraled as he wrestled with the slim possibility of striking a deal with Minwoo. The White Rat was a cold and calculating opponent, not one for drawn-out conversations. You'd find that rocks would have more conversational depth than him.
Still, maybe there was a chance—if he could convince Minwoo to work together to bring Mavislin back, they might be able to topple the Viceroy in the process. But as quickly as the idea formed, it shattered under the weight of reality.
No, that path was a dead end. Mavislin wasn't just anyone—she was still Shadow, the leader of the Covert Ops Division, one of the Five Seats of the Syndicate. She had already allied herself with the Viceroy, binding her fate to his.
If Mattheos dared to force her back from that allegiance, Zenos would execute her without hesitation. The Viceroy was ruthless enough to slaughter his own allies if it meant keeping control.
Mavislin wasn't merely entangled in this alliance; she was the very linchpin holding it together.
To make matters worse, Shadow's commands were absolute. She wasn't the type to be crossed, and those who attempted to defy her met fates worse than death. Matt knew better than to challenge her authority.
Contesting her decisions wouldn't just put his life on the line—it would seal his doom in ways he couldn't even begin to fathom. Mavislin was a master manipulator, the kind who could use her bloodthirst in battle to incite fear to anyone who opposed her.
The other Seats would rather put the rabbit under a headstone than question Mavislin's decisions.
The more Mattheos thought it over, the more he realized how tightly the noose was closing around him. He was caught between two monstrous forces: Minwoo, who was going to send him an invitation to Heaven, and the Viceroy, who still has Mavislin as his prisoner.
The idea of winning either of them over seemed as likely as walking away from this encounter unscathed. But he had no other options, no allies he could trust in this viper's nest.
It was all down to his ability to think faster and to play the game even when every card was stacked against him.
The golden threads of light still swirled around Minwoo's pistols, a promise of death waiting for the slightest excuse to be unleashed. Mattheos forced himself to stay calm, every instinct screaming at him to flee.
But there was no running from this. The moment he decided to stand his ground, he knew he had to find a way to outmaneuver the White Rat—before both Mavislin and the Viceroy closed in from every side.
Come on, Mattheos… Think!
"Apologies, little rabbit. I simply do not have the time for you to get in my way in the future so it's time for me to stop you," answered Minwoo as his pistols primed automatically.
"Unlock. Status active! Gemini!" hollered the White Rat.
Mattheos's eyes snapped open as he instinctively raised his sword into a defensive position, preparing to face the White Rat head-on.
Yet, as he took in the situation, he realized something crucial—the Fontaine Couple's dark nature contrasted sharply with the Legion's use of Light, which Minwoo was currently radiating.
The realization hit him just as Minwoo unleashed a torrent of golden bullets, each one a streak of radiant energy that rained down on him.
With swift, practiced movements, Mattheos maneuvered his blade precisely, deflecting the onslaught with relative ease. Despite the barrage, he knew this position was untenable; he needed to close the distance to make a decisive move.
As the golden storm subsided, Mattheos seized his opportunity. He charged towards Minwoo with determined speed, his sword poised for a strike. At the last moment, he curved his approach, slashing with a practiced twist of his blade.
The edge of his sword cut through the air, narrowly missing Minwoo's side but slicing through the enemy's coat with a sharp hiss. The coat fluttered with the force of the strike, a clear mark of Mattheos' intent and skill.
"Impressive, you aren't the timid bunny that I used to know. However, it's simply not enough to deter me. Scatterstrike Pursuit!"