While Shiro and Tian Yu kept Noct busy in close combat, Neo sprinted up a stairwell and found cover at a sniper position above. Far below, Hlanya was already slipping deeper into the enemy base, avoiding the chaos like a ghost.
Noct stood tall, his presence overwhelming.
"You kids are interesting," he said, right before driving his foot into Shiro's stomach, then following up with a hard hit to the head.
Shiro staggered, winded.
Noct turned to Tian Yu, fists flying. Tian Yu dodged most of the blows, his body swift and trained. He countered with a low kick to Noct's ankle, but Noct didn't flinch.
"That won't work," he said with a grin—and slammed his fist into Tian Yu's side.
Pew!
A sniper shot rang out from above.
Neo had fired.
But Noct simply raised a hand and caught the bullet between two fingers.
"If only you had a Metro weapon," he said coldly.
In a flash, he dashed up toward Neo's position.
Shiro fired two quick shots—one wide, the other aimed. The first missed on purpose. It ricocheted off a pipe, heading straight for Noct's side.
But Noct caught both with ease. "Nice try."
Then he grabbed Neo and beat him down with terrifying speed, leaving him barely breathing.
Next, he turned toward Shiro.
But just then—Tian Yu stood back up, blood on his lip and fury in his eyes.
"Yo! Hungry bastard!" he shouted.
Tian Yu leapt into the air and kicked his sword down toward Noct. Noct caught it midair and tossed it aside—but Tian Yu caught it again as it spun back around.
When Noct looked down, Shiro was gone.
Suddenly—bam!
Shiro slammed a fist into Noct's side, pushing him toward Tian Yu's blade.
But Noct caught the swing.
"What a useless weapon," Noct said, smirking—and raised his fist to strike.
Then he froze.
"After Image Attacks?" he said. "Huh… that's clever."
He snarled and grabbed Tian Yu by the throat, slamming him into the floor. He blocked Shiro's incoming kick and struck him hard across the chest, knocking the wind out of him.
Both boys slowly stood again.
They rushed him together.
Tian Yu was flung aside like a ragdoll, but Shiro's kick landed. Noct barely reacted.
"Those don't work on me," he said.
"I know," Shiro muttered with a smirk.
Thunk.
A blade stabbed into Noct's shoulder from below.
Noct glanced down.
"…A hidden knife? In the bottom of your shoe?" he chuckled, pulling it out.
Then he cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck.
"Alright. Lesson time."