They arrived without sound.
No engines.
No footsteps.
No warning.
One moment the street was broken and burning,
the next—
six figures stood behind the Director
like shadows cut from reality itself.
Their armor was matte black,
smooth and seamless,
with no visible joints or insignia.
No Hunter markings.
No unit ID.
Only a thin silver line across each visor,
glowing faintly—
not scanning,
not targeting—
judging.
Kai's blood ran cold.
"…Personal Guard," she muttered.
Not Hunters.
Not soldiers.
Executors.
The Director didn't turn around.
"Remove Captain Kai," she said calmly.
"Alive, if possible."
If possible.
That single phrase told Kai everything.
She stepped forward, blade drawn.
"You take one more step," she warned,
"I won't hold back."
One of the Guards tilted its head slightly.
Not in confusion.
In interest.
Then they moved.
First Contact
The nearest Guard vanished.
Not dashed.
Not jumped.
Vanished.
Kai barely twisted aside in time—
a black blur tore past her,
the displaced air ripping her coat open.
She felt pain bloom across her ribs.
Too fast.
Way too fast.
She spun, blade flashing—
CLANG—!!
Steel met something harder.
Sparks exploded.
The Guard caught her sword barehanded.
Its fingers dented the blade.
Kai's eyes widened.
"…Enhanced bone lattice."
She kicked off its chest,
twisting midair to land—
Another Guard struck from above.
She blocked instinctively.
The impact drove her knee into the ground,
cracking the asphalt.
Her arm screamed.
The Guards didn't speak.
Didn't shout.
Didn't emote.
They attacked like a single organism,
spacing perfect,
angles impossible,
never overlapping,
never hesitating.
Kai rolled, slashed low—
One Guard leapt clean over the arc,
landing behind her.
Another slammed an elbow into her spine.
Pain exploded.
She staggered.
Blood hit the ground.
Qin Mian screamed:
"KAI—!!"
Yin Lie growled low in her arms,
power flaring instinctively—
"No," Kai shouted hoarsely.
"DON'T MOVE—!!"
Because if Yin Lie reacted—
The Director would erase him.
Pressure Difference
Kai retreated three steps.
Already bleeding.
Already breathing hard.
And they hadn't even tried yet.
She realized it then:
These Guards weren't meant to kill.
They were meant to contain gods.
One Guard finally spoke—
its voice distorted, layered, inhumanly calm:
"Captain Kai.
Your combat data exceeds projections."
Kai spat blood.
"Flattered."
Another voice:
"However—
your outcome remains unchanged."
They rushed her again.
Kai triggered her limiter.
Pain vanished.
Time slowed.
Her blade moved faster than thought.
She severed an arm at the elbow—
black fluid sprayed—
The Guard didn't fall.
It grabbed its own severed limb midair
and slammed it into her chest.
She flew backward,
smashing through a broken wall.
Her vision blurred.
Her ears rang.
She forced herself up.
If she fell—
Qin Mian would die.
Yin Lie would be dissected.
The world would lose its anchor.
She could not fall.
The Difference Between Elite and Monster
Kai burst back onto the street.
She moved like a blade herself now—
cutting, spinning, adapting.
She disarmed one Guard.
Crushed another's visor.
But every wound closed.
Every weakness vanished.
They learned.
They always learned.
A Guard caught her mid-spin,
lifting her by the throat.
Its grip tightened.
Her vision dimmed.
"You fought well," it said neutrally.
"You are no longer required."
Her blade slipped from her hand.
Qin Mian screamed again.
"KAI—PLEASE—!!"
And Yin Lie—
moved.
Not attacking.
Not rising.
Just existing harder.
A ripple of Null-Class pressure rolled outward.
The Guards stiffened.
Their visors flickered.
For the first time—
They hesitated.
The Guard holding Kai released her abruptly.
She collapsed to one knee, gasping.
The Director finally turned her head.
"…Interesting," she murmured.
Yin Lie's half-open eyes locked on the Guards.
His voice was raw, layered, dangerous:
"…don't… touch… her…"
The Guards recalculated.
Threat priority shifted.
Kai looked up, blood dripping from her chin.
"No—Lie—don't—"
But the Director lifted a finger.
The pressure vanished instantly.
Yin Lie choked, collapsing back into Qin Mian's arms.
Silence returned.
The Director turned fully now.
"That was enough," she said.
The Guards stepped back in unison.
Kai stared at her.
"…You were testing us."
The Director smiled faintly.
"Of course."
She looked at Qin Mian.
At Yin Lie.
"At the bloodied street.
"Now I know exactly
how much force
will be required."
Kai forced herself to stand again, shaking.
"You'll have to kill me first."
The Director's gaze was calm.
"That is already scheduled."
She turned away.
"Secure the perimeter.
Prepare Phase Two."
The Guards moved.
The city lights flickered.
And Kai realized—
This wasn't a battle.
It was a demonstration.
Chapter 117 End