Clack!

The sound of the clip rattling, and hitting the ground catches Zack’s attention.

Now!

In a single leap, Zack covers the distance between them, targeting Rukevic who’s still reloading the handgun. His movement is so fast that Rukevic was taken aback and impulsively stabs the empty air, completely missing his target.

Without him knowing it, both his hands are clutched by Zack, rendering him unable to move freely.

Then, a hard impact occurred, clashing their head hard.

Gotcha, motherf*cker!

Zack put his all on headbutting Rukevic, hoping he’ll lose consciousness or something similar to it. And what he predicted is happening. Rukevic’s footing becomes unstable, and his body hopelessly collapsed to the side, like a dirty cloth drooped on the ground.

 

Kashing!

“Huh?”

BANG!

 

A bullet pierces the air straight at Zack, leaving a deep mark on his right temple.

When did he?!

Right at the moment after Rukevic was get hit, he swiftly twist his body and used his left hand to support the weight, all the while reloading the gun amidst the maneuver, away from Zack’s attention before releasing a shot at him.

This time, Zack really considers it was such luck that he can avoid it. Or at least, that is what it seems to be. Back on full alert, Zack is keeping himself away while moving around from the homing bullets.

With that, they’re back to square one.

With every second passing, his brain slowly runs out of ideas so does his stamina to maintain the fast-paced fight. Zack takes a deep breath as he reorganizes his movement, feeling the cold air slowly spreading through his lungs.

He could feel the heartbeats soar up, vigorous warm blood rushing through his veins. The wounds on his body stop screaming for pain. The rush of adrenaline, no other than a mysterious feeling creeping through his entire body. Putting all of his at the incoming opponent straight for his demise.

As if something inside has been reborn from a long deep slumber, yearning to make up the regrets from the past.

 

Everything becomes clear in an instant.

 

Yet the focus itself doesn’t enough when the shining blade already appears before Zack’s eyes. His body reacted in perfect synchronization, forcing him to touch the ground again before sending a clench of fist straight towards Rukevic’s face.

“Arghh!”

A cloud of dust scorches Rukevic’s eye as he tries to follow up the attack, dulling his accuracy. Seeing an opening on his opponent, Zack immediately landed a hard hit on the abdomen with full force, throwing him away several meters behind.

Zack chases Rukevic down to knock him out for good.

Clenched fist ready for a hit, only to be greeted by a nozzle waiting in front of his face. Zack swiftly deflects his hand right before pulling the trigger, sending the bullet to pierce the empty sky.

“To think you’ll use such a dirty trick!”

“...Said the one who brings a gun in a fistfight.”

As soon as Zack appears on his face, Rukevic stabs the blade right into his heart.

Zack manages to hold his arm while quickly twisting it onto his back, putting Rukevic in agony as the knife drops onto the ground. Setting up another countermeasure, he desperately directed the handgun at Zack’s poker face.

“Your head next- Ack!”

Zack gives a hard blow to his jaw, instantly snatching Rukevic’s foothold before sending another punch at the same spot.

As the consciousness slowly fades away, Rukevic tries to gain his ground while aimlessly pointing his gun. By the time his vision clears, an elbow has landed on his face while loses the grip on his right hand.

Slowly yet surely everything becomes dark.

The only thing Rukevic knows is that his entire body is engulfed in pain as if it slowly pounded into dust. In a swift movement, he is completely overwhelmed by Zack attacking from all sides, not giving the slightest chance for him to break free or even fight back.

Like a loyal dog willingly trapped inside a torture chamber. Panting, and begging for forgiveness in silence.

Dozens of punches come from all directions surrounding him. The sound of flesh beating, bones cracking, and grunts of agony enveloped inside a huge cloud of dust. The remains of the dust leave the crowds in shock as the survivor stands still on top of his prey.

A complete triumph over those who trample the weak.

“Geez… ya owe me big time for fillin’ up your shoe.”

Thud.

Zack loses his balance, regaining his footing right before his body collapsed altogether.

Panting breath, high heartbeat, and impending dizziness. The effort from earlier had put too much strain on his body, and he doesn’t know why is that.

All of a sudden, he could feel a creeping burning sensation around his neck as the premonition is closing in. His instinct is acting up again in a split second.

Without a second thought, Zack gets onto his knee when a pair of machetes successfully slice strands of hair at the same time.

Immediately Zack turns back and takes some distance to get a better view of the attacker. However, the person in question launches another sequence, forcing him to quickly adapt to the incoming attacks.

Shit, out of all people, why does it have to be him!

“You got my respect for taking care of my sergeant… To think you would force the lieutenant to come for you by himself… shows just how big of a threat to let your existence here.”

“Thanks, I guess?” Still in the middle of confusion and exhaustion, Zack tilted his head reacting to his words.

“I see… I see the reason why my sergeant was beaten up by an Unlisted nobody in the heat of the fight...” Remarked Kruger mumbling.

“Huh? Ain’t y’all too full of yourself for pulling such a ridiculous drama in front of us?"

Soon after, a grin was carved on Kruger’s face. “Exactly. That attitude of yours is the main cause of all of this. How intriguing!”

Kruger takes a step closer toward him, playing both machetes in the air.

“Worry not, I just want to know you a bit better. I assume it’s okay with you?”

“Nah! Don’t wanna add more annoying people for my bedtime!”