Riku's first burst hit the pack leader center mass. The rounds thudded into its chest and shoulder, black fluid spraying, but the creature barely flinched. It dropped to all fours, claws digging into the pavement, and sprinted straight at him.
Riku moved left and kept firing in short, controlled bursts. The leader zigzagged like it had seen bullets before. It juked right, then left, then suddenly leapt high. Riku tracked it up, took the shot, and clipped its thigh. It crashed down off-balance, rolled, and came up again with a roar that rattled his ribs.
"Stay in the car!" he shouted without looking back.
The leader charged again. Riku didn't retreat. He closed the distance two steps, then slid to a stop and dropped to one knee. He aimed low and hammered the knee joint. Bone cracked. The creature stumbled and planted a claw to catch itself. Riku rose and kicked that planted wrist sideways. The leader went down on its side. He stepped in to finish it—
