The wind shifted.
Ren Kurozawa stood still as pedestrians passed by, their lives wrapped in the illusion of peace. He stared at Ayaka's retreating figure. Her gait was quick, purposeful. She'd sensed something about him. Not fear. Something else. Curiosity laced with tension.
He would exploit that.
> [Daily Mission Progress: 14% - Emotional Imprint forming. Optimal pursuit strategy advised. Initiate engagement within 12 hours for Loyalty Route bonus.]
He slipped into the crowd, his senses sharp, movements measured. The system had returned to him, fully bonded and unrestricted. No longer was he experimenting in panic. Now, every function was a tool.
> [New Function Unlocked: Threat Analysis] [Scanning... Urban Zone: Low-Level Civilian Threat. Anomalies Detected: 2 - Armed Individuals. Distance: 300m.]
"Already?" he muttered.
In the past, he'd ignored these signs. Thought it paranoia. That mistake had cost him everything.
Not this time.
He followed the pulse of system data. Behind a corner store, in a shadowed alley, two men loitered—too quiet, too stiff. Not thugs. Scouts.
> [User Directive Triggered: Optional Elimination Mission — Prevent Civilian Trafficking Incident. Reward: +1 Physical Stat Point. Loyalty Boost to nearby Females witnessing intervention.]
Ren's eyes sharpened.
"I could wait for them to move," he whispered to himself, voice low. "But I need to test myself. Need to see how much of the old instincts remain."
He stepped forward, silent.
The first scout didn't notice. The second did—too late.
Ren's elbow connected with the man's jaw, a precise and brutal arc. A sharp grunt, then silence. The second reached for a blade, but Ren swept his leg, knocking him off balance. A stomp to the solar plexus ended it.
Quick. Clean. Efficient.
> [Combat Evaluation: Grade A. Stat Point Awarded. Passive Skill Gained: Tactical Suppression Lv.1]
> [Nearby Civilian Detected: Ayaka Fujihara. Emotional Spike: Shock. Curiosity. Intrigue.]
She'd seen him.
She stood by the corner, can in hand, frozen.
He turned slowly. "Bad day for them."
Ayaka blinked. "You... who are you?"
He walked past her, brushing shoulders lightly. "Someone who knows what's coming. You'll want to stick close if you want to live."
> [Loyalty Seed Planted. Bond Level: 12%. Attraction Modifier: +2.]
Ren didn't look back. He didn't need to.
He could feel the shift. The world had tilted. Slightly. Quietly. But undeniably.
He was no longer a survivor clinging to hope. He was the predator preparing the hunt.
And the world had just become his feeding ground.