The air in that street was different.
Not heavier.
Not colder.
But… charged.
As if something invisible was pressing against every inch of space, as if reality itself had tightened upon realizing that what was happening there wasn't normal, wasn't random, wasn't something that could be dismissed as just another street crime.
Damián felt it the moment he took his second step into the zone.
His body reacted before his mind did.
His muscles tensed.
His breathing shifted.
His gaze sharpened.
And the system confirmed it.
[Active Zone confirmed]
[Interference detected]
[Functions limited: 12%]
That made him pause for just a fraction of a second.
*…interference?*
But he didn't have time to fully process it.
One of the three men lifted his head.
Straight toward him.
Too fast.
Too precise.
It wasn't a coincidence.
*…he saw me,* Damián thought.
And then the man smiled.
Not like a thief.
Not like someone surprised.
But like someone… expecting company.
*You're late,* he said calmly, his voice low but clear, never breaking eye contact.
The other two didn't react the same way—one turned in visible confusion, the other with annoyance—but neither with that level of precision.
That was enough.
That one was different.
That one was the real danger.
Damián stepped forward again, not answering immediately, observing every detail—the positioning of the three, the distance, the condition of the person on the ground, the lighting, the possible exits.
Everything.
[INS (Instinct): 2 — Perception, reaction, and situational awareness]
[Analysis in progress…]
It wasn't enough.
But it helped.
*I didn't come for you,* he finally said, keeping his voice steady, showing no weakness.
The man let out a soft laugh.
*They all say that at the beginning.*
Silence tightened.
The other two started getting uneasy.
*Who the hell is this guy?* one of them said, clearly nervous.
*Doesn't matter,* the "different" one replied without even looking at him. *This isn't for you anymore.*
That changed everything.
Because it meant something very clear.
They…
Didn't know.
They weren't players.
They were just in the wrong place.
Damián understood it.
And the system reacted.
[Secondary targets identified]
[Priority: LOW]
[Primary target: NOT IDENTIFIED]
That made his gaze lock even harder onto that man.
*…so you are one,* Damián said at last.
The man tilted his head slightly, evaluating him.
*And you just figured that out?*
It wasn't mockery.
It was… assessment.
As if he was measuring his level.
His value.
His potential.
Damián didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
The system spoke for him.
[INS in use…]
[Threat probability: HIGH]
[Estimated outcome: UNFAVORABLE]
That made him tense internally.
*…I can't beat him head-on.*
But he couldn't step back either.
Not with the contract active.
Not with that gaze locked onto him.
The man took a step forward.
Slow.
Controlled.
And that was enough for the other two to instinctively step back, moving away from the center of the conflict without even understanding why.
*I'll give you an option,* the man said, stopping a few meters away from Damián. *You walk away… and pretend you never entered this place.*
Damián looked at him steadily.
*And the contract?*
A pause.
Small.
But real.
And that confirmed something.
That man had it too.
The system.
*…so they already assigned you one,* he murmured with a faint smile. *Interesting.*
Silence returned.
But this time…
It was more dangerous.
Because both of them understood.
This wasn't personal.
It was competition.
Damián breathed slowly.
Controlled.
His mind working at full speed.
He couldn't win by strength.
He couldn't win by speed.
But…
He could think.
His gaze shifted for just a second toward the surroundings.
The walls.
The reflections.
The distance between the other two men.
The metallic object on the ground near the third.
And then…
He smiled.
Slightly.
*I didn't come to fight you,* he said, taking a step to the side.
The man followed him with his eyes.
Alert.
Suspicious.
*Then you're wasting your time.*
*No,* Damián replied. *I'm changing the rules.*
And he moved.
Not toward him.
But sideways.
Straight toward one of the thieves.
The most nervous one.
The weakest one.
The least prepared.
The strike was fast.
Imperfect.
But enough.
The man dropped to the ground without understanding what happened.
The second reacted too late.
And the third…
Smiled.
*Good,* he murmured.
Because he understood.
This wasn't a direct confrontation.
It was strategy.
Damián wasn't trying to beat him.
He was trying to complete the objective.
[Contract objective updated]
[Neutralize irregular activity: 33%]
The second thief tried to attack, but Damián had already moved, using the environment, the distance, the confusion—everything in his favor.
It wasn't clean.
It wasn't elegant.
But it was effective.
And the system recorded it.
[Progress: 66%]
The "different" man didn't move.
He just watched.
Evaluating.
Learning.
And that…
Was dangerous.
Damián knew it.
That's why he didn't stop.
The final strike landed with more force than he thought he had, sending the second thief crashing down as well, leaving only the main target standing.
Silence.
Rain.
Breathing.
And two players facing each other.
[Contract progress: 66%]
[Primary target remaining]
The man smiled slightly.
But this time…
It wasn't calm.
It was genuine interest.
*…now,* he said, stepping forward.
And this time…
He wasn't going to watch.
He was going to act.
Damián adjusted his stance.
His breathing.
His focus.
Because now…
The real fight was about to begin.