Chapter 170: Shot Fired

Michael subtly slipped his hands into his pockets, his fingers skillfully navigating to his virtual inventory. Amid the bustling crowd, he maintained a composed exterior while internally scrambling for a solution to escape the looming threat. His mind needed to operate at its optimal capacity, especially now.

Hidden from prying eyes, Michael retrieved a neuroenhancer pill—a small, potent capsule designed to heighten cognitive functions dramatically. He palmed the pill discreetly, swallowing it without attracting any attention. Almost instantly, he sensed a surge of clarity and heightened awareness as the drug coursed through his system, electrifying his synapses and sharpening his senses.

The world around him seemed to slow, details becoming crisper as if he was seeing everything through a high-definition lens. With his brain now supercharged, Michael began to analyze his surroundings with exceptional precision.

First, he determined the location of the sniper through the available information for him, the reflection of the light on the scope indicated a specific angle relative to his position. Michael quickly calculated the angle of incidence, correlating it with the position of the sun to estimate the sniper's location.

He reasoned that the light reflection was most likely caused by a direct line of sight with the sun's current azimuth.

Using his enhanced cognitive abilities, Michael approximated the height of the building and the specific window from which the reflection emanated. Knowing the typical floor-to-ceiling height in commercial buildings, he calculated the sniper's position to be approximately 20 stories up.

His estimations suggested the sniper was positioned on the southwestern face of the building, which aligned with the trajectory needed for the angle of the reflection he observed.

To further confirm his hypothesis, Michael utilized his knowledge of trigonometric parallax. He measured the apparent shift in the position of the scope reflection as he subtly moved sideways, ensuring his movement was minimal to avoid detection. This shift allowed him to triangulate the exact window among the glass facade of the skyscraper.

Equipped with this precise location, Michael now needed to act on this information. Does he have to run? No, because the sniper could simply follow him through his scope and pull the trigger. How about acting like nothing is happening? Well, the sniper has a clear line of sight of him. Enter the vehicle?

As he settled, the world seemed to hold its breath. The bustling noise of the event faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of his own heartbeat in his ears. Michael's enhanced senses were on high alert, every muscle tensed in anticipation. He waited for the faint noise that would signal the sniper's action—the soft report of the rifle.

Then, in a moment that stretched like an eternity, he heard it. The distant muffled sound of the gunshot rolled over the open space between the skyscraper and the vehicle. Time dilated, and Michael's training took over. He threw himself sideways in the seat, an evasive maneuver calculated to change his position just enough to avoid the bullet's deadly path.

The window beside him shattered as the bullet pierced through, the sound explosively loud in the confined space of the vehicle. Glass sprayed like icy rain, but Michael was already moving, his body contorting unnaturally to dodge the lethal projectile. Despite his calculations, the bullet grazed his shoulder, a line of fire burning across his skin.

Pain flared, sharp, and bright, but Michael's focus remained unbroken. He touched his shoulder, his fingers coming away with blood, confirming the graze. His breathing was heavy, adrenaline coursing through his veins, but he was alive—his calculations had saved him, if only just.

Gritting his teeth, Michael peered through the broken window, scanning the building. The sniper would be recalibrating after the missed shot, which gave him a few crucial seconds.

"Drive, now!" Michael barked to the driver, his voice a harsh whisper. The driver, already alerted by the security protocols, didn't hesitate. The vehicle lurched forward, tires screeching against the pavement as they made a rapid escape from the line of sight of the sniper's nest.

Meanwhile, outside the Peninsula, the guests ran amok when they heard the gunshot, panic instantly spreading through the crowd. Screams filled the air as people scrambled in different directions, trying to find cover or an exit.

"Sir, are you okay?!" Juliet exclaimed.

"I'm fine, just get me out of here as far as you can."