Elias barely had time to react.
Elena Frost was already moving — fast.
She launched forward like a missile, her knee aiming straight for his ribs.
Instinct and his Tactical Awareness kicked in.
Time seemed to stretch — a second became a lifetime.
He twisted, deflecting the blow, but still felt the edge of her boot graze his side.
She's fast. Too fast.
Elena smirked.
"You're good, boy. Better than the others."
Elias didn't reply. His breathing slowed. His eyes sharpened.
The fight wasn't going to be won with brute strength.
It was going to be about survival.
---
Meanwhile: Callum and Sophia
Over comms, Callum's voice was frantic.
"Elias, get out of there! She's one of the Phoenix Society's top enforcers! You can't win head-on!"
Sophia cursed in the background.
"I'm almost there! Stall her!"
---
Elias knew he needed an edge.
He glanced at the watch — quickly, silently — and triggered the hidden menu.
> [Activate Temporary Buff: Reflex Surge - 30 seconds]
> (Costs: 200 points.)
Confirmed.
Suddenly, his entire body felt lighter, faster, sharper.
Every nerve sparked to life.
When Elena threw a devastating spinning kick, Elias ducked and countered — a perfect sidestep and a punch straight to her solar plexus.
Thud!
She stumbled back, gasping — surprised.
He didn't stop.
A second later, he swept her legs and sent her crashing to the concrete floor.
The surprise didn't last long. Elena rolled backward like a cat and landed on her feet, wiping blood from her lip.
"Now you're interesting," she hissed.
---
Name: Elena Frost
Age: 35
Profession: Assassin and Tactical Commander for the Phoenix Society
Attitude: Cold, calculating, relishes pain — both giving and receiving
Flaws: Overconfidence; underestimates her opponent's emotional resilience
Appearance: Short platinum hair, athletic frame, several scars visible, icy blue eyes that seem to see through lies.
Skin color: Pale with a slight grayish tone from years of underground life.
Quirks: Always hums an old lullaby before a kill.
---
Elena circled Elias like a predator.
"You have strength, speed... maybe even a few toys," she said.
"But what about endurance?"
She pressed a button on her suit.
Suddenly, gas began flooding the corridor — thick, white, choking.
Elias held his breath, but even with his new stamina, it wouldn't be long before he blacked out.
A new task popped up on the watch:
> [Survive the Gas Trap: Reward - Enhanced Respiratory Endurance.]
Timer: 4 minutes.
Four minutes? Are they crazy?
--
Just as the gas thickened, Sophia burst in, wearing a gas mask and wielding a modified taser.
She fired at Elena — twack!
The prongs hit Elena's shoulder, sending volts through her.
Elena screamed, staggering.
Elias seized the chance.
Grabbing a metal pipe from the ground, he slammed it into Elena's ribs, sending her skidding across the floor.
For now... the Bloodhound retreated, vanishing into the smoke.
But the warning in her eyes said it all:
This isn't over.
---
As the gas cleared, Sophia ripped off her mask and threw her arms around Elias.
"You idiot!" she snapped, punching his arm.
"You could have died!"
He laughed weakly, coughing.
"Nice to see you too."
Callum's voice crackled through the comms.
"Guys... you better get moving. Reinforcements inbound."
Sophia grinned grimly.
"Another day, another near-death experience."
Elias staggered up, smiling despite himself.
For once, despite everything, he didn't feel alone.
---