Thora reacted instantly, leaping straight out through the window. Darius's expression tightened as he followed right behind her. Tracking the bullet's path, Thora swept her eyes across the area. They locked onto a short building not far away. At a blind corner, something flashed for a split second—the shine of a sniper scope. The sniper was fully prepared. A black mask hid his face, leaving only a pair of tense eyes exposed. He aimed the dark barrel of his rifle straight at Thora below. But in the very next moment, his target disappeared. His heart skipped. He hadn't blinked. How could she vanish? Danger screamed in his instincts. He jumped up, slung the rifle over his shoulder, and turned to retreat. Just as he moved, a cold voice stopped him. "Leaving already? Did I give you permission?" Thora stepped out from the shadows nearby, long legs moving calmly as her icy eyes fixed on him. He never expected her to appear so fast. Instinctively, he stumbled back two steps and tossed the sniper rifle aside. The muscles under his clothes tensed hard. A faint gray-black wave of wolf power spread around him. He was clearly ready to fight with everything he had. Meanwhile, Darius reached the base of the building. He pulled out his phone and calmly called Davis. His voice was steady. "Mr. Ewing, this is Darius. Please have someone check the cameras in Zone X. They look like they were deliberately shut down. I'm a witness to an attempted assassination. Thora is handling the threat and securing the campus." He hung up without waiting for a reply. Phones weren't allowed at the academy, but that rule didn't apply to Darius.He looked up at the rooftop, then headed upstairs at an unhurried pace. Thora studied the man before her, a dangerous smile tugging at her lips. "I was planning to deal with you in a few days. I didn't expect you to come straight to me." The masked man snorted coldly and was about to attack when a faint electric hum reached his ears. The surveillance system was coming back online. His face changed. He lunged to grab his weapon and run. But the moment he moved, Thora kicked out. A metal can beside her slammed into his waist with a loud clang, breaking his rhythm completely. "I already told you," she said, her voice thick with killing intent. "You don't leave unless I say so." Realizing escape was impossible without taking her down first, the masked man's eyes hardened. Wolf power mixed with an ability wave leaked from his skin. Suddenly, Thora felt her feet lock in place. It was the same sensation as the last ambush. So it really was his ability. "I didn't plan to kill you," the masked man rasped darkly. "But now, you have to die." He knew Thora had probably figured out who he was. She couldn't be allowed to live. He pulled out a silver dagger and lunged straight at her chest. Before the blade could land, Thora slapped his wrist aside. The dagger flew from his hand and hit the ground. "How are you still moving?!" Panic set in. He adjusted instantly and rushed into close combat. But every time Thora struck him, the limb she hit went numb for a moment. Her explosive strength was terrifying. Each blow felt like iron smashing into bone, heavy enough to rattle his body. She threw a hook punch wrapped in pale blue wolf power straight at his head. He barely blocked with both arms, yet was still shoved back several steps. Shock was clear in his exposed eyes. How could she break through his ability? Thora stepped closer and snapped her fingers. A blue flame flared to life at once. Her smile tilted, eyes still cold. "Did you really think you were the only one with an ability?" His pupils shrank violently. He'd observed Thora closely during the admission test and Nine Tower. She'd never used an ability even once. He'd assumed she didn't have one. Only now did he realize the truth. Not only was Thora an ability user, but her strength far surpassed his. At minimum, she had to be SS-rank. Otherwise, his ability wouldn't have shattered so easily. Among awakened werewolves, the difference in rank decided everything. The wider the gap, the weaker the lower-ranked ability became. That was why everyone chased power so desperately. "You're ... an ability user," he said grimly. Thora looked down at him, her tone calm. "Not just that." She lifted her arm as dense blue energy wrapped around it. "I'm the one who's going to kill you." Before the words fully landed, countless solid metal chains appeared out of thin air. Guided by her will, they wrapped around the masked man, binding him tightly.