You adjusted the strap of your weapon across your back and kept walking. Then came shouting.

A black luxury car sat skewed across the roadside, one tire shredded. Nearby, four men were surrounded by a pack of snarling saberclaws.

You moved before thinking.

In a blur, you crossed the road, caught the beast midair by the scruff, and hurled it into two others hard enough to send all three tumbling. The earth cracked under your next step as you drove your fist into the lead creature's jaw. Another came from behind—without turning, you seized its tail, spun once, and launched it into the ditch.

Silence followed except for the last whimpers of retreating monsters. Dust settled.