Chapter 10: Ch 10 - Klaus, a worthy candidate I
The dagger ripped into Klaus’s back. A sharp pain flared, but it was quickly overshadowed by a surge of pure anger. He was furious at himself, at his fear, at the very idea of being a victim again.
At that moment he decided that he would not just run but put up a fight.
Klaus’s eyes snapped open. The masked man, a dark shape against the dim alley light, was moving in for the kill.
Klaus’s gaze darted around, his Superior vision(C) instantly finding a thick cast steel pipe buried in the trash nearby. He lunged his Swift Step (D) speedily pushing his injured body. He grabbed the pipe, the cold metal feeling solid in his hand. He spun, swinging the rod in a wide, wild arc.
The masked man, expecting a cowering victim, was surprised. The pipe struck his shoulder with a dull clang. It wasn’t a powerful hit, more like a desperate shove, but it bought Klaus a second. The man stumbled back, cursing under his breath.
"You’ve got some fight in you, rat!" the masked man growled, his voice losing its calm tone. He lunged, his dagger a blur. Klaus blocked clumsily with the pipe. Metal clashed with steel, a screeching sound echoing in the narrow alley.
Klaus knew he was outmatched. The man was faster, stronger, and a trained killer. Every block jarred his arms, and every dodge stretched his injured back.
This wasn’t a fight he could win by standing his ground. He needed to change the game. With another desperate block, Klaus shoved the man back, creating a small space.
Then, he ran. He didn’t run in blind panic but with a sudden, clear plan. He sprinted deeper into the forgotten alley, he activated Swift Step (D) carrying himself over trash and uneven ground. The man cursed again, a furious sound, and chased after him.