Jack walked out of the office with slow steps, while Yuki waited for him in the hallway, her arms folded.She walked beside him, her tone slightly sharp:"You think you got away easily? Everyone's talking about you now."He didn't reply, only kept walking, eyes fixed on the ground.After a moment of silence, Yuki said:"Looks like you barely escaped today..."Jack answered quietly, his voice tense:"I don't understand what's wrong with defending myself."Yuki looked at him seriously:"The problem is... you made everyone afraid of you."He stopped for a moment and said softly:"...Fear is better than pain."Yuki sighed, lifted her head toward the gray sky, then continued walking beside his silence.
In a black car two streets away, a man was watching them through thermal lenses."Target confirmed... moving with a girl. No signs of parasite disturbance yet."A calm voice came through the earpiece:"Keep the surveillance. Do not engage until we arrive."
That evening, the apartment was quieter than usual.The old man stood in the kitchen, slowly preparing dinner, while Yuki cleaned the table in silence, and Jack sat on the couch with tired eyes.
The old man smiled while stirring the ingredients:"Do you prefer tuna or chicken with pasta?"Jack, without hesitation:"Both!"Yuki quickly turned to him, saying with a faint scorn:"Strange taste... I prefer tuna."The old man laughed:"Hahaha, that's fine. I cooked it with vegetables anyway!"Yuki asked with a tired tone:"Then why ask?"He laughed again:"To break this boring silence!"
On the opposite building, Gary sat on the rooftop watching through a special scope.A voice came through the earpiece:"Target in apartment two. Sitting, not moving... two people with him."In the neighboring apartment, Hatz and Akado were setting up equipment.Hatz said while fixing a small listening device:"Audio is in place. The subjects are talking calmly."Akado replied while checking his weapon:"The wall between us and them will be breached in one minute. You, the fourth one... what's your name again?""Nazimi.""Alright, Nazimi. You'll be the first to knock."Nazimi held his short weapon and said quietly through the radio:"Get ready... three, two, one—"Knock... knock... knock.
Jack turned toward the door and said:"I'll get it."Gary on the roof reported:"Target is moving toward the door."Nazimi whispered:"I hear footsteps coming!"Jack walked slowly, but a strange feeling came over him. The silence behind the door was suffocating... then his ears caught a faint sound from the next wall:"Project 96."His eyes widened, and he froze in place."Impossible..." he muttered to himself.And suddenly—booom!Nazimi broke the door with a violent punch.He rushed at Jack, hitting his shoulder hard, making him step back, but Jack dodged the next blow in a flash.They exchanged punches at an incredible speed until Jack grabbed his arm just a second before being hit, then pushed him forcefully out.Nazimi flew through the broken door and fell from the first floor onto a parked car!Yuki heard the crash and screamed from the kitchen:"Jack?! What's happening?!"The old man shouted in panic:"Jack!!"Before he could answer, another sound echoed—boooof!
The wall between the apartments exploded, a white flash and choking dust filled the air.Yuki screamed before a piece of wall hit her, knocking her unconscious.The old man rushed to her through the smoke.
Jack, covered in dust, moved quickly into the living room, but shadows shifted through the destruction.Akado appeared from the smoke, attacking with a metal rod, striking Jack's shoulder.Jack staggered in pain, then struck back with a powerful punch that sent the man crashing into the wall.
Hatz emerged from the haze holding an electric baton, shocking Jack in the chest.Jack fell to his knees, his chest trembling, breath uneven.His silver eyes began to flicker, then glowed brighter and brighter.He grabbed the sparking baton... and broke it in half with his bare hands despite the shock.
He stood, eyes glowing silver, face tense, breathing deep and furious.With one hit, he sent Hatz to the ground, motionless.Gary's voice came through the radio, filled with concern:"What's happening inside?! Visibility is gone!"Nazimi returned, his face covered in dust and blood, shouting:"Flash!"He threw a flash grenade inside the apartment.A strong flash filled the place.Jack screamed in pain, covering his eyes.Then Nazimi shouted again:"Frag!"And tossed a grenade into the room.booom... A deafening explosion shook the building...
End of Chapter 9