Kenji moved swiftly through the city streets, his mind racing as he sensed the presence of his pursuer. He knew exactly who it was, and his goal was clear: avoid any unnecessary conflict. Reaching into his small bag, his fingers brushed against the familiar papers inside. Just as he pulled one out, the hunter suddenly appeared right in front of him, as if he had teleported there in an instant.
"Hey, Mr. Kenji," the hunter greeted with a smirk, his tone laced with a taunting confidence.
Kenji's instincts kicked in, and he immediately jumped backward, landing on the ground. Without wasting a moment, he unfolded the piece of paper, revealing some hastily scribbled writing on its surface. He activated the spell, and instantly, a thick mist erupted, enveloping the area and concealing him from sight.
Seeing his opportunity, Kenji didn't hesitate. He fled, creating a clone of himself that darted off in a different direction. The two identical figures sprinted away, aiming to confuse the hunter. But the hunter simply smiled, reappearing in Kenji's path effortlessly.
"I can tell the real one from the clone," the hunter said, his voice calm and confident. "Even if it's just a mirage."
Kenji's expression tensed. He jumped back, creating some distance, and pulled out his blade along with another piece of paper. He quickly activated the spell, causing another surge of mist to rise and obscure their surroundings. But this time, Kenji had already marked the hunter subtly during the first encounter.
With the hunter's vision reduced by the mist, two spectral hands shot up from the ground, gripping the hunter's legs and pinning him in place. Seizing the moment, Kenji lunged forward, his blade aimed directly at the hunter's head for a swift strike.
But in a flash, the hunter moved with startling speed. He caught Kenji's blade between his teeth, biting down hard until the metal snapped with a sharp crack. Kenji froze, stunned as the broken sword clattered to the ground.
The hunter spat the broken blade aside, a sly smile on his face. "You'll have to try harder than that," he said, his voice slightly muffled. Kenji took a step back, realizing that conventional tactics wouldn't work against this opponent. The mist began to thin, and the hunter's eyes locked onto Kenji's with an unyielding intensity.
Kenji knew he had to think quickly—this wasn't just a fight; it was a battle of wits. The game of cat and mouse had only just begun, and with each move, the hunter seemed to be one step ahead. As the mist swirled around them, obscuring the unfolding scene, Kenji braced himself, knowing that he needed a new plan if he hoped to escape the tightening grip of his relentless pursuer.