Time: 8:34 PM – Central Neuro-Cistern, Depth Zero
The door pulsed once more—like a heartbeat.
"Protocol: Revenant. Host Confirmed."
Before anyone could speak, the sound of engines rumbled from above.
Miura's voice cut in, sharp. "We've got movement—multiple vehicles. SUVs. Infrared marks show armed units. Closing fast."
Marek swore. "They followed us through the Ghostline. That's not possible unless…"
"Unless someone left a trace," Ryoji muttered, already moving. He grabbed his duffel bag and tore it open—inside, guns. Lots of them.
He tossed a rifle to Miura, then loaded a short-barrel shotgun into his belt, slinging a custom pistol into a chest rig. His eyes were colder now. Focused.
Aiko stepped forward. "Ryoji…?"
"Stay behind cover. Don't argue." His voice was steel.
8:39 PM – Outer Shaft Corridor
The gang came like wolves in iron. Four SUVs tore through the ancient corridors, floodlights sweeping across rusted steel. Doors slammed. Boots hit the ground.
They wore Division-grade armor. Not official. Reclaimed. Stolen. Customized.
Guns. Augments. Tattoos marking kill counts. Ghostline Marauders.
"Fan out!" barked the lead. "Find the host—secure the Seal!"
But Ryoji was already moving.
Flashbang. Tossed.
BOOM!
Light and sound wrecked their formation. As they reeled, he stepped out of the smoke with a machine pistol, unleashing hell.
Ratatatat!
Three went down before they saw him.
Miura's sniper round cracked from above—clean headshot, center mass.
Aiko knelt behind a broken pillar, her Seal flaring bright as the battle fed into it—absorbing. Broadcasting.
"They're being pulled here by me," she realized.
8:43 PM – Central Chamber Crosspoint
More enemies poured in—dozens. This wasn't a squad. It was a coordinated takedown. Someone wanted Ryoji and Aiko erased.
Marek pulled a hidden lever. "Fall back to the Deadman's Circuit. I'll hold the gate."
"No," Ryoji growled. "We make a stand here. Miura—glass their flanks. I'll clear center."
He reloaded without blinking, eyes scanning.
A grenade rolled past him.
He kicked it back before it could beep.
BOOM—!
The hallway shook. Blood misted the air.
Ryoji shot through it.
He wasn't fighting for survival anymore. He was fighting like someone who had nothing left to lose.
One Marauder rushed him—augmented arms, combat drugged.
Ryoji dropped his rifle, grabbed the man by the vest, and drove a knife straight through the bottom of his jaw. Clean. Brutal.
He picked the rifle back up.
8:46 PM – Sub-chamber Vent Shaft
More enemies coming. Aiko screamed as her Seal projected energy—a flicker of mirrored circuits dancing across the walls.
Marek stared. "That's not a Seal anymore. It's a broadcast node. You're activating everything down here."
Aiko dropped to her knees, clutching her head.
Another explosion above. The roof collapsed.
Ryoji covered her. "We fall back—now!"
He and Miura grabbed Aiko and retreated toward the lower ring—the Deadman's Circuit. A maze. A trap. One Ryoji knew how to turn against them.
He looked back once at the burning chamber, then triggered a final charge on the gate.
BOOM.
Fire roared through the depth.
"We're not done yet," Ryoji muttered.
"We just woke the whole damn grave."
To be continued in Chapter 59.....