Zayn’s instincts screamed.

  The hunter’s cannon arm glowed with deadly energy, the red-hot core humming like a bomb about to explode. There was no time to think—only to move.

  WHOOSH!

  The energy blast erupted from the cannon, a blinding beam of destruction tearing through the air. Zayn’s body vanished just as the ground where he stood exploded into molten debris.

  [Shadow Step Activated.]

  He reappeared ten meters away, just in time to see the aftermath—a massive crater where he had been standing. The force of the blast had melted the ground itself.

  Zayn’s breath was ragged. That would’ve killed him instantly.

  "Ha! Not bad," the bald hunter sneered. "But how many times can you dodge before your luck runs out?"

  He raised his arm again. The cannon whined, charging for another shot.

  Zayn narrowed his eyes.

  Running wasn’t an option.

  Dodging wasn’t enough.

  He had to attack.

  [Host has survived a life-threatening attack.][Gene Adaptation Boosting Combat Capabilities.]

  ? New Ability Unlocked: Instinct Reflex (Rank F) – Increases reaction speed when sensing danger.

  Zayn felt his muscles tighten, his vision sharpening. The hunter’s next move became crystal clear in his mind before it even happened.

  He could predict it.

  And he could end it.

  The bald hunter fired again.

  But this time, Zayn didn’t just dodge.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  He charged forward.

  WHOOSH!

  Using Shadow Step, he flickered left, right, left, dodging at the last second as the energy blasts tore apart the ruins around him. Each movement was faster, smoother.

  The hunter’s face twisted in surprise. "What the hell—?!"

  Zayn closed the distance in an instant.

  With his enhanced reflexes, he saw the openings. The tiny moments between attacks where his opponent was vulnerable.

  His first punch smashed into the cannon arm’s side joint.

  ? CRACK!

  Sparks erupted, metal twisting. The hunter stumbled, his cannon arm momentarily disabled.

  Zayn didn’t stop.

  He drove his elbow into the hunter’s ribs, then kicked him square in the chest, sending him skidding backward.

  For the first time, fear flickered in the hunter’s eyes.

  Zayn grinned. Now we’re even.

  The second hunter—who Zayn had knocked down earlier—began stirring.

  Zayn didn’t let him recover.

  He moved like a shadow, appearing behind him in an instant. The man barely had time to react before—

  CRACK!

  Zayn grabbed his head and slammed it into the rubble. The hunter collapsed, unconscious.

  Now only one was left.

  The bald hunter growled in frustration. His cannon arm was smoking, sparking. He knew he was outmatched.

  "You damn brat—!" He turned to flee.

  Zayn didn’t let him.

  He flashed forward, grabbing the hunter’s arm.

  Before the man could react—

  ? CRACK! ?

  Zayn twisted the arm backward, breaking it in a single motion. The hunter screamed as his cannon arm was torn from his body, sparks flying.

  "Where’s that confidence now?" Zayn muttered.

  The hunter collapsed to his knees, gasping in pain. "P-please—"

  Zayn’s gaze was cold.

  He knew what would happen if he let this guy live. He’d report him. Hunt him down. Kill him when he was weak.

  So Zayn did the only logical thing.

  ? CRACK. ?

  With a swift strike to the throat, he ended it.

  The bald hunter collapsed, lifeless.

  [Host has defeated two Gene Hunters.][Calculating Genetic Essence Absorption…]

  ?? Gene Points Gained: +15?? First Human Kill Bonus: +5 Gene Points

  Zayn exhaled, feeling the surge of power flow through his body.

  ?? Gene Points Available: 20

  He stared at his hands, realizing the truth.

  He wasn’t just a scavenger anymore.

  He wasn’t prey.

  He was the predator.

  And this… was only the beginning.