Late at night.
In a remote corner of the capital, far from the brightly lit main streets, darkness clung stubbornly to the narrow alleys. Not a single lantern burned here.
"Huff… huff…!"
A cloaked figure sprinted through the deserted street, footsteps echoing sharply against the stone pavement. His breathing was ragged, uneven—panic made flesh.
The man glanced back more than once, as if something invisible were snapping at his heels.
Thud.
He slipped into a narrow alley and pressed himself against the wall, clutching his chest. His heart pounded so violently it felt like it might burst through his ribs.
He tried to slow his breathing.
Tried to be silent.
Please… please don't let them find me.
But hope was short-lived.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"G—gah!"
I appeared out of the darkness in an instant and drove my foot straight into his face.
A clean dropkick.
