Al had already launched himself forward like a crimson flash cutting through the air.
In the blink of an eye, he was right before them.
The five figures could only curse under their breath, never once expecting that the man they believed to be the leader of the Black Faction—the faction rumored to uphold peace and avoid meaningless violence—would actually be the one to initiate the first strike.
"Damn it…" Lagan spat.
"What do we do now?" Lela asked quickly in the midst of their movements, her voice filled with unease.
But there was no time to truly answer. Al had already arrived in front of them.
All of them immediately assumed defensive stances, preparing for retaliation. Their bodies stiffened, eyes locked on his unreadable movements, every muscle tensed to intercept a strike from any direction. Their group battle instincts had already been awakened, ready to act in unison.
