『Neizan: «I can't let them reach the end of that hallway.» 』
Without either of them seeing him, Neizan stepped out of his hiding place, taking advantage of the fact that they were facing away from him. He moved cautiously, quickening his steps. When he looked back at the stairs, he saw that no one else was there, and in a swift motion, he shot, hitting each man in the back of the neck with two bullets. Two more corpses were left behind, but then he heard someone else speaking from beneath the stairs.
A sudden noise echoed from the bottom of the stairs.
『???: What was that? 』
Neizan, his pulse racing, quickly peeked around the edge of the stairwell and saw a guard who had already spotted him.
『Guard: You! 』
The guard reached for his weapon with tense movements, but Neizan reacted first: he fired three times, hitting the guard in the shoulder, neck, and face. The guard fell heavily down the stairs, leaving a trail of blood as he descended. Without losing a second, Neizan dashed back toward the door where Elena was waiting, frozen with fear.
『Neizan: Elena, open the door! 』
Elena, pale and trembling, struggled with the lock for a moment. Meanwhile, Neizan took the chance to reload his gun, pulling a fresh magazine from his pocket. As soon as the door opened, Neizan was the first to cross, quickly scanning the area.
『Neizan: There's no one here. Let's go, quickly. 』
He knew time was against them. He estimated they had less than five minutes before the place would be swarming with alerted guards. They descended a narrow staircase together until they reached another door, which would lead them to the back patio and into an alley where they could escape. Neizan tried using one of the stolen keys, but none worked.
『Neizan: «None of these keys work…» 』
Frustrated, Neizan signaled for Elena to step aside. He aimed carefully at the door handle and fired several times until the metal gave way. With a hard kick, he forced the door open.
『Neizan: Let's go, we're almost there. 』
They both ran through the dark, winding alleys until they reached a street where a black car with tinted windows was parked.
『Neizan: Get in the car, quick! 』
Elena, gasping for air, quickly got into the vehicle as Neizan opened the glove compartment and took out another gun, better equipped than the previous one, with a laser sight and higher-caliber rounds. He also grabbed a backup phone that he'd prepared especially for this situation. He quickly sent an alert message to Owen with their exact GPS location.
『Neizan: Elena, take this phone. Call the only contact saved on it. 』
She nodded and, though hesitant, started to dial as Neizan started the engine. Just then, the sound of gunshots shattered the calm. The car's rear windows burst as bullets hit them. Neizan floored the gas pedal without hesitation, and the car roared as it sped away from the scene.
With adrenaline pumping, Neizan fixed his eyes on the route he had mapped out in his mind. They couldn't afford mistakes; every second counted as they tried to escape the city before their pursuers grew in number.
Inside the car, Neizan gritted his teeth, trying to keep control of the steering wheel despite the sharp pain in his shoulder.
『Neizan: Ugh! Damn it… Elena, put it on speaker. 』
Elena, her face full of concern, did as he asked, but couldn't help noticing the blood staining his shirt.
『Elena: Neizan, you're bleeding… 』
『Neizan: They got me in the shoulder, but it doesn't matter—I can keep driving. 』
Owen's voice came through the phone's speaker.
『Owen: What's happening, Neizan? 』
『Neizan: I'm taking the escape route, but I think we've got company. There are several vehicles following us. 』
Owen paused briefly before responding, analyzing the situation.
『Owen: I understand. The police are already on their way to the building, but it sounds like you'll need more than that. I'm coming to find you and make sure you have cover on the way out. 』
Neizan looked at Elena, who was gripping the phone tightly.
『Neizan: Elena, listen. When I stop the car, take the phone and get out quickly. Go straight to the area I marked for you on the GPS. 』
Owen interjected, a bit more alert.
『Owen: Wait… You're with Elena? Alright, now I understand the situation better. Are you both okay? 』
『Neizan: Only I got hit, in the shoulder, but we're fine. Owen, I need you to take care of her. Meet her at the location I sent and make sure she's safe. 』
『Owen: Got it, I'm on my way. 』
But before Neizan could end the call, Elena looked at him with a glimmer of confusion in her eyes.
『Elena: But why? 』
Neizan glanced at her briefly before focusing back on the road.
『Neizan: Elena, you're in danger with me. You can't stay; it's safer if you follow my instructions and get away from all this. Get out here, and Owen will take you somewhere safe. 』
She hesitated, breathing heavily, but seeing the determination in Neizan's face, she nodded, understanding it was for the best.
『Elena: Thank you, Neizan, but please… 』
Just as Elena tried to express her last words, Neizan interrupted her, his tone urgent.
『Neizan: There's no time. Get out now! 』
Elena stepped out of the car with a mix of anxiety and gratitude, biting her lips and with eyes full of tears. As she watched Neizan drive away, she whispered softly:
『Elena: Come back safe… 』
After leaving Elena, Neizan accelerated, taking the route he had planned. He took out a backup phone and called Owen. But just seconds later, he noticed two black cars appearing in the distance through his rearview mirror, closing in fast.
『Neizan: Owen, I've got a black car following me. Send a patrol if you can, and tell them to track my location. I'm sending it to you right now. 』
As he spoke, one of the pursuing cars drew dangerously close, and gunshots echoed in the night. Neizan felt a burning pain in his left arm—another bullet had struck him. Now, with his right shoulder injured and his left arm wounded, shifting gears and driving became almost impossible tasks.
『Owen: Neizan, I can hear the gunshots. Just hang on a little longer. 』
『Neizan: Trying… Damn it! Those bastards… 』
Neizan's breathing grew more labored as the pursuers gained ground. He knew that if he didn't take action soon, they would catch him.