The air was heavy with tension, thickening into a deadly fog that threatened to suffocate Landon. Cornered, with no escape, Landon faced certain death.
"Hey, kid," the leader sneered, voice dripping with malice. "Come out now, and I promise I'll make it quick. No suffering. Just tell us where the girl is."
Landon knew: it was kill or be killed. He made the tough call.
With lightning speed, Landon drew his gun and stepped out of cover, firing at the henchmen. The sudden move caught them off guard.
One masked man stumbled backward, his chest erupting in a crimson burst as the bullet struck true. Blood splattered everywhere, and he crumpled to the ground.
The others hesitated, momentarily distracted by their fallen comrade's lifeless body. For a fleeting moment, their attention wavered.
Both henchmen took cover behind the nearest pillar. Witnessing this, Landon swiftly moved to another pillar.
"Shit, he's got a gun!" the masked man panicked, heavy breathing audible.
The leader, unfazed, chuckled beside him. "So, not the talkative type, huh?"
Landon's focus wavered as the sound of shattering glass echoed through the air. He glanced down to see shards of broken mirror scattered beneath his feet.
Seizing the opportunity, Landon picked up a piece and carefully positioned it to reflect the area beyond his cover.
In the mirror's reflection, he spotted one of the masked men's feet exposed.
With swift precision, Landon fired at the vulnerable target.
The masked man screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground.
Landon swiftly capitalized on the opening, shooting at the fallen henchman.
The leader, witnessing his comrade's downfall, stepped out from behind the pillar.
Landon mirrored his move, and they faced off, guns locked in a deadly standoff.
Their eyes locked, fingers tense on the triggers.
The air hung heavy with anticipation.
"You took down all my men," Barry said, eyes narrowing. "You're a skilled fighter; I'll give you that. With our guns locked, odds are fifty-fifty."
"Not if I shoot you first," Landon retorted, breaking his silence.
Barry chuckled. "So, you do talk."
Landon's icy gaze remained fixed.
"How about we let our guns down and let our fists do the talking?" Barry suggested.
"You first," Landon said, tone laced with skepticism.
Unfazed, Barry grinned.
He ejected the magazine, tossed it aside, and discarded his gun.
With a fluid motion, Barry shed his mask, revealing a weathered face etched with age.
A man past his forties, with piercing blue eyes, stood before Landon.
Landon's eyes narrowed, sizing up his opponent.
"Name's Barry," the man said, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice.
"I should at least show the courtesy of revealing my name before you die."
Landon mirrored Barry's actions, his gaze unwavering.
He ejected the magazine, tossed it aside, and discarded his gun.
"Landon," he declared, his voice firm.
"Landon Ryujin."
Barry's expression shifted, intrigue igniting in his eyes.
"Ryujin, did you say Ryujin?" he repeated, his tone laced with curiosity.
Landon's intensity escalated.
"Kenji Ryujin—is he...?"
Barry's grin broadened.
"Your father, I presume?"
Landon's voice turned glacial.
"How do you know him?"
Barry's laughter echoed, tinged with sarcasm.
"Who would've thought Kenji Ryujin had a son? That explains a lot."
Landon's eyes blazed with fury.
"I asked, how do you know him?" he thundered.
Barry's smile dissolved, replaced by a calculating stare.
"I don't know... maybe I'll tell you when you defeat me."
Landon's glare intensified, his fists clenched into vice-like balls.
With a primal roar, he launched himself at Barry, losing all composure.