Kai’s eyes widened as the scarred man’s veins bulged and his skin started flushing crimson. The drug coursed through his body like wildfire, amplifying his strength and speed.

His daggers trembled in his grip before they began vibrating with unnatural energy.

Kai hadn’t expected them to be this eager to eliminate him.

But it seemed that he had underestimated their greed!

Apparently, the mercenaries knew more survivors would eventually reach this section of Citadel‑09.

If they wanted to secure loot and escape without suspicion, they had to kill him quickly, strip him of anything valuable, and leave no evidence behind.

Kai felt the pressure...

’So that’s how it is...’

He had no choice but to fight to kill as well.

The scarred man charged forward with, his daggers blurring faster than before.

Kai threw a smoke grenade to the ground.

It immediately released a thick gray mist, swallowing the corridor in seconds. Visibility dropped to nothing!

"Smoke?!" one of them snarled.

Kai’s silhouette vanished into the haze.

He quickly disengaged his two Gene Weapons, the Strength Gauntlet and the War Lance, letting them dissolve back into dormant form.

His Spirit pulsed as he manifested something else.

The dagger materialized in his hand. It was sleek and dark, and seemed quite ordinary...

[ Gene Weapon: Specter Edge ]

[ Grade: Mid ]

[ Type: Spirit‑Infused Dagger ]

[ Effects: +15% Armor Penetration against mechanical units.

Signal Disruption: Attacks have a chance to disable enemy sensors. ]

[ Hidden Attribute: Decay ]

Kai’s grip tightened around the dagger.

As soon as he poured some Spirit Energy on it, its edge started blurring, as if reality itself bent around it.

The heavy-axe user then swung his axe blindly through the smoke.

The blade smashed into the wall, but it didn’t stop him!

The crimson‑haired woman phased through the mist, with her blade slashing in the air.

But Kai was already moving.

"Titan Step," he whispered.

His body surged forward as Spirit energy flooded his muscles...

Bam!

The ground cracked beneath his feet as he accelerated!

His figure passed through the smoke and aimed at the dagger user!

The scarred man’s daggers slashed wildly, enhanced by the drug.

Chamber pulsed in Kai’s mind.

[ Analysis: Drug amplification detected. Speed increased by 40%. Stamina drain imminent. Recommend counter through attrition. ]

Kai ducked low, Specter Edge flashing. The dagger sliced across the man’s forearm, leaving a trail of black decay.

The scarred mercenary hissed at the sudden pain, and just like that, his movements slowed for a fraction of a second.

"Wha—what is this?!" he shouted while, clutching his arm.

Kai didn’t answer.

He pressed forward, his dagger moving through the mist.

Each strike was perfect, guided by Chamber’s analysis.

Kai struck again with Specter Edge, piercing the man’s ribs.

The hidden attribute activated... Decay.

The wound darkened, spreading corruption through his flesh.

The mercenary had no other choice but to reconsider his move! After all, his enhanced speed seemed to have been suppressed by the dagger’s effect!

"Careful! He’s using poison!" The man warned.

The crimson‑haired woman phased through the smoke, appearing behind Kai.

However, Chamber noticed this even before she manifested.

[ Re‑materialization detected behind you. ]

Kai quickly turned with his dagger, before slashing upward.

Clang!

The blade tore across her chest just as she solidified.

She screamed, stumbling back, with blood spilling from the wound!

The axe-user then roared, charging blindly.

His axe cut through the mist, smashing into the floor again.

He was too slow!

Kai sidestepped, his dagger stabbing into the man’s thigh.

It was not enough to kill the man, but it should slowly drain him!

However, the man actually cried in pain before he collapsed to one knee.

’Ohh... You have low pain tolerance?’ Kai smiled at this discovery...

As he was about to finish him off, however, the drugged scarred man moved! He wasn’t finished yet.

He charged again with his daggers glowing with crimson energy.

Kai blocked, sparks flying as steel clashed.

The man’s strength was overwhelming, forcing Kai back.

It seems that the drug’s effect was just working now!

’He doesn’t care about injuries... Wait... Did he take more drugs while I’m not looking?’

Kai frowned as his HP dropped with each glancing blow.

[ Health: 240 / 3,200 ]

He gritted his teeth. I can’t let them overwhelm me.

Another smoke grenade hissed, thickening the haze. The mercenaries coughed, their vision completely obscured.

Kai then vanished into the mist, his footsteps silent.

"Where is he?!" the axe-user roared as he suppressed the pain...

Kai’s voice whispered from the smoke. "Right here."

Specter Edge flashed, piercing the brute’s throat.

The man gurgled, before collapsing to the ground.

Thud!

"Max!" The crimson‑haired woman screamed in rage, phasing again.

But Kai was ready.

He ducked, used Spirit Dominion to control her movements before using Titan Step!

"You-!"

The woman was surprised as this was Kai’s first time using Spirit Dominion against them!

Kai did this deliberately to maximize its power!

His dagger slashed across her neck, severing her cry abruptly...

Soon, she also fell, lifeless.

Thud!

Only the scarred man remained, his body trembling from the drug.

His daggers glowed as he was filled with fury!

His Spirit Points must be draining fast!

Then, he began slashing wildly! Kai could see desperation in his eyes.

Kai blocked, his dagger intercepting each strike. Though the man was fast, his attacks became more predictable...

Kai smirked. Time to end this.

He surged forward as the cooldown was over...

Soon, Titan Step propelled him like a bullet.

Bam!

Then, the Specter Edge pierced the man’s chest, driving deep.

The hidden attribute activated again as Decay began spreading through his body.

"Y-you!"

The mercenary gasped, blood spilling from his mouth, before collapsing to the ground.

Silence returned to the corridor.

Kai stood over the fallen mercenaries as he looked around...

’That’s close...’

He muttered while looking at his HP.

[ Health: 80 / 3,200 ]

He exhaled slowly, wiping the blood from Specter Edge.

’Barely made it... but I won.’

Still, he believed that the battle gathered some attention...

Because of that, he quickly looted these people!

After rummaging through their belongings, he discovered the stimulant that the scarred-man used!

Without hesitation, Kai used his Appraisal.

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