Will 99 Win?

Will 99 win against Carl?

He would.

Reid wanted to say those words firmly in his heart, but he couldn't.

So he could only drown out his thoughts through battle.

Once they started fighting, he wouldn't have to think so much.

As the two stared at each other, they moved at the same time with almost no warning!

Reid's Kerenzikov activated instantly, and the world seemed to slow in his eyes. His right hand drew his gun like lightning, while his left nearly simultaneously flung out a grappling hook. Its target was not Carl, but a pipe above and to the side—he needed to open up the distance, buy time for the Pawn pistol to charge, and think of a way to fight in the process.

In Reid's eyes, Carl was someone exceptional in every respect.

At long range, he never missed, his accuracy as terrifying as death itself.

In close combat, his movements were streamlined and fierce, every move aimed straight at vital points with frightening efficiency.

But mid-range combat was where he truly became despairing—the control he possessed over rhythm, space, and timing nearly surpassed the limits of human reaction. No one could stand against him.

Under these circumstances, Reid could only choose the acceptable option: create distance and shoot.

However, Carl was faster than Reid had anticipated.

The instant Reid's finger touched the trigger, Carl had already slid a step sideways. Rather than advancing in a straight line, he cut into Reid's blind spot from the side along an arc that defied physical intuition. He did not even draw his gun; he merely flicked his right hand seemingly casually—

A nearly invisible silver thread sliced through the air, carrying an incredibly faint, almost imperceptible whistle as it shot straight toward Reid's gun hand and wrist!

Monomolecular Wire!