The cold wind of the German forest whipped through the dense pine canopies, creating a dark green sea that rippled under the dim light of dawn. Erik Heller led the way through the undergrowth, keeping a steady, silent pace. Close behind him came Hanna and Arthur, their keen senses scanning every shadow and crack of dry twig.
In the series' original timeline, Erik and Hanna had to contend with the CIA's relentless pursuit almost alone, resulting in desperate escapes and serious injuries. But with Arthur's presence and the combined effectiveness of their tactics, the group formed a lethal tactical unit.
Suddenly, Erik raised his fist, stopping instantly. He raised his hand to signal absolute silence.
A few meters ahead, the sound of heavy boots and the faint beam of a military flashlight cut through the mist between the trees. An advanced CIA reconnaissance squad had intercepted their trail.
“There are four in front and probably two more flanking on the left,” Erik whispered, his jaw clenched, preparing the silencer on his weapon. “We’ll eliminate them before they communicate our position.”
“Leave the two on the left to me,” Arthur said calmly, glancing at Hanna.
Hanna nodded with a sharp movement of her head. There was no hesitation. The mutual trust between the two had solidified after the battles in the desert and at the Berlin station; she knew exactly what Arthur’s role would be on the battlefield.
As Erik advanced down one flank to neutralize the vanguard, Arthur and Hanna glided like shadows toward the left flank.
Two CIA agents patrolled the area with their rifles at the ready. One of them stopped, frowning at the slight snap of a branch. Before he could raise his weapon to fire, Arthur’s shadow burst from the mist.
Arthur's enhanced agility allowed him to close the gap in milliseconds. With a fluid [Military Hand-to-Hand Combat] movement, he deflected the first agent's rifle barrel high into the air, delivering a precise elbow strike to the man's chin, followed by a sweep that knocked him unconscious on the forest floor.
The second agent attempted to react, twisting to fire at Arthur. But before his finger could pull the trigger, a blonde silhouette plummeted from a pine branch above them, landing directly on the soldier's shoulders. It was Hanna. With a relentless, synchronized strike, she immobilized the man's neck, neutralizing him before he could utter a single sound.
[Tactical Ambush Confrontation on Uneven Terrain Successfully Completed.] Proficiency Gained: +4. [100x Multiplier Talent Activated!] Proficiency Gained: +400!
[Evolved Skill: Military Hand-to-Hand Combat (Rank C-) ➔ Evolved to (Rank C)] (Effect: Absolute mastery in close combat, kinetic reflexes, and instant lethal submissions on any terrain.)
The muffled burst of gunfire ceased ahead. Seconds later, Erik emerged from among the tree trunks, cleaning his weapon and looking at the two bodies lying on Arthur and Hanna's flanks.
Erik stared at Arthur for a moment, surprised by the surgical speed with which the former guard had eliminated the threat. Then his eyes landed on Hanna, who stood beside Arthur, breathing calmly, without a trace of panic. The girl no longer protected herself in isolation; she covered Arthur's flank with the same ease with which Erik protected hers.
"Clear here," said Arthur, sheathing his weapon firmly. "But their trackers must have noticed the signal loss." We need to reach the safe haven before dawn.
Erik nodded, turning back to the forest trail.
"Let's go. The path is clear for now."
The she-wolf and her shadow continued their march through the depths of the forest, ever closer and ready to face whatever came next.
[HOST STATUS] Name: Arthur Vance Level: 6 Class: Ex-Guard / Tactical Survivor
[ATTRIBUTES]
Strength: C
Agility: B-
Stamina: C
Perception: C
Intelligence: D-
[SKILLS]
Firearms Mastery (Rank C): Advanced lethal efficiency for medium and short-range combat.
Military Hand-to-Hand Combat (Rank C): Absolute mastery in close combat and lethal submissions.
Extreme Survival (Rank D): Stable resistance to arid environments, dense forests, and fatigue.
Tactical Empathy / Behavior Reading (Rank D-): Accurate interpretation of microexpressions and body language.
Social Engineering / Civic Disguise (Rank D): Ability to blend into civilian environments without raising suspicion.
[INNAVY TALENT]
Multiplier 100x (Active): Multiplies by one hundred all experience, proficiency, and gains obtained by the host.