The feeling didn't lie.
They weren't alone.
Ethan slowed his steps slightly, his eyes scanning the street without making it obvious.
"…Three," he said quietly.
Lena stayed close beside him.
"…You're sure?"
Ethan nodded.
"…At least."
That was the problem.
At least.
Kai walked behind them, hands still in his pockets, completely relaxed.
"…Then don't look for them," he said.
Ethan frowned slightly.
"…What?"
"Looking makes you predictable," Kai continued. "They'll adjust."
Ethan exhaled slowly.
That made sense.
So instead—
He stopped searching.
And started feeling.
Subtle shifts.
Small disturbances.
Three separate presences.
One ahead.
Two behind.
Closing in.
"…They're positioning," Ethan said.
Lena's voice dropped.
"…So what's the plan?"
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
Because this wasn't like before.
One opponent—
You react.
Multiple—
You think.
"…We keep moving," he said finally.
Lena blinked.
"That's it?"
"For now," Ethan replied.
Kai smirked faintly.
"Good."
Ethan ignored him.
The street stretched ahead, dimly lit, quiet enough to feel exposed.
Too open.
"…We need a better position," Ethan muttered.
"Like where?" Lena asked.
Ethan's eyes shifted—
A narrow side alley.
Dark.
Tight.
Controlled space.
"…There," he said.
Lena followed his gaze.
"…That looks like a trap."
"It is," Ethan replied.
Kai chuckled softly.
"Now you're learning."
They turned.
Into the alley.
The moment they stepped in—
The atmosphere changed.
Heavier.
Closer.
The exit behind them felt… farther.
"…They're moving," Ethan said.
Lena's grip tightened slightly on his sleeve.
"…All of them?"
Ethan nodded.
"…Yeah."
Footsteps echoed.
One from the front.
Two from behind.
No more hiding.
They stepped into view.
Three figures.
Different.
But the same kind of presence.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
"…Cornered already?" one of them said.
Ethan didn't respond.
He stepped slightly forward.
Putting himself between them and Lena.
"…Stay behind me," he said quietly.
This time—
She didn't argue.
The three figures spread out slightly.
Not rushing.
Not reckless.
They were careful.
"That's new," one of them said. "He's thinking now."
Ethan's eyes sharpened.
"…You've been watching," he said.
"Of course," another replied.
Kai leaned against the wall behind them.
Silent.
Watching.
"…You're not helping?" Lena whispered.
Kai didn't move.
"This is his decision," he said.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
Fine.
Then this was his fight.
"…You're not here to talk," Ethan said.
"No," the first one replied.
"Then let's skip it."
Silence.
Then—
They moved.
All three.
Fast.
Ethan didn't react blindly.
He focused.
One source.
Lena.
The connection formed instantly.
Stable.
He held it.
Didn't rush.
Then—
He chose.
Not all three.
Just one.
The closest.
He guided the pulse—
Sharp.
Focused.
The force hit—
Stopping the first attacker mid-step.
"…Good choice," Kai murmured.
Ethan didn't stop.
He moved.
Positioning.
Keeping Lena behind him.
The second attacker came from the side—
Ethan shifted—
Not blocking directly—
But redirecting.
The pulse nudged the movement—
Changing the angle.
The attack missed.
Barely.
"…Not bad," one of them said.
But the third—
Came from behind.
Too fast.
Ethan's focus split—
For just a second.
The connection shook.
"Ethan—!"
Too late.
The third attacker grabbed his shoulder—
Pulled him back—
Hard.
The connection snapped.
Everything collapsed.
Ethan hit the ground.
Pain shot through his side.
"…That's your problem," one of them said. "You can't handle multiple targets."
Ethan pushed himself up.
Breathing uneven.
"…I know."
They moved again.
All three.
This time—
No hesitation.
Ethan's chest tightened.
Too many.
Too fast.
Too much.
The instinct to force it surged again.
But—
He stopped.
Just for a second.
Kai's voice echoed in his mind.
Know when to stop.
Ethan exhaled.
"…Not like before," he muttered.
He focused again.
Not on all three.
Not on the chaos.
Just—
One.
The strongest presence.
The leader.
The connection formed—
He held it—
Guided it—
The pulse struck—
Harder.
Sharper.
The leader staggered.
That was enough.
Ethan moved—
Grabbed Lena's hand—
"Run."
She didn't hesitate.
They moved.
Fast.
Out of the alley.
Back into the open street.
Behind them—
Footsteps.
But slower now.
"…They're not chasing," Lena said.
Ethan slowed slightly.
"…No," he replied.
He looked back.
The alley was empty.
Too empty.
"…They were testing me," he said.
Kai stepped out moments later.
"Of course they were."
Ethan clenched his jaw.
"…Then next time—"
Kai smirked.
"—they won't hold back."
Silence.
Ethan exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
Lena looked at him.
"…Good?"
Ethan's eyes hardened slightly.
"Because next time…"
He paused.
"…I won't either."
And for the first time—
Facing multiple enemies—
He didn't feel overwhelmed.
He felt ready to learn.