In the center of this run-down alleyway between the lurid lights of neon, you and the hired assassins stand less than two meter from each other. You glance quickly from side to side, memorizing each shadow that lingers slightly longer than others in hopes of discovering any attack direction ahead of time, before nodding briefly, closing your eyes tight, and sighing lightly.
*You were expecting them all, really. It was only a matter of time, after you'd gotten clever with the local criminal element, and now, you stand facing consequences.
You didn't see anyone behind you, but you hear a Japanese-accented voice from over your shoulder. "Try to run, вы. Try."
A sleek blade glints bright silver and catches just a shimmer of light from a flickering street lamp. There's four of them now, arranged around you like the corners of a boxing ring, faces impassive behind their black masks, slowly closing in.
