I felt them before I saw them.
Not pressure. Not hostility.
Observation.
---
> [Entity Detected:]
— Observer Faction
Mode: Surveillance & Analysis
Intent: Unknown
---
The city streets below seemed normal.
But the air… heavy.
Subtle ripples of attention brushed past me like invisible fingers.
---
I drifted along rooftops, careful.
High above, I could see faint symbols—barely perceptible.
---
> [Spatial Awareness: Enhanced by Spirit Core Lv.2]
— Observation Nodes Active
---
"Curious," Mira's voice echoed from nowhere.
"They're interested in you. Not for power. Not for hunting."
"…Then why?" I asked.
"Because you're an anomaly. And anomalies are data."
---
I didn't like being "data."
---
From a high-rise, a faint shimmer appeared.
A figure stood on the edge of another building.
Tall. Faceless. Black robe blending into the night.
---
> [Entity Classification:]
— Observer Operative (Silent)
---
It didn't move toward me. Didn't speak. Just watched.
Every heartbeat, every core pulse I emitted, it cataloged.
---
"…Great," I muttered.
"I'm being stalked again."
> [System Note:]
— Observation does not equal hostility.
"…That's reassuring," I said sarcastically.
---
The operative shifted slightly.
Its presence rippled through the surrounding wraiths and rogue spirits.
> [Local Spirit Activity: Alerted]
---
I tested a small Emotional Pulse.
Not to attack. Just to see.
---
The operative did not flinch.
Wraiths dispersed, but it stayed.
> [Analysis Complete: Adaptive]
"…Persistent."
---
Mira's voice again.
"They'll follow you for a long time. Observing your choices. Watching your chaos."
"…Lovely."
> [System Alert:]
— Observer Influence: Low → Moderate
— Awareness Threshold Increased
---
I floated silently, thinking.
Every move from now on… mattered.
Every choice I made, someone—or something—was watching.
---
The operative vanished suddenly.
No sound. No trace.
Just… gone.
---
I exhaled slowly.
"…Okay. New problem unlocked."
> [Path of Return: Observation Layer Added]
---
Above, the city hummed.
Lights flickered, shadows danced, and unseen eyes followed my every motion.
---
"…Better start thinking two steps ahead."
---