The city pulsed below, alive with tension.
---
At first, the signs were small:
Rogue spirits misaligned, ignoring subtle nudges.
Humans hesitated, fear overriding influence.
Hunters coordinated better than predicted.
---
> [System Alert: Network Influence – Partial Failure Detected]
"…Figures," I muttered.
"Not everything I touch bends perfectly."
---
I hovered over a narrow alley.
A rogue spirit lunged toward a civilian, ignoring my subtle pulse.
> [System Note: Influence Gap – Rogue Spirit Behavior Deviated]
---
I acted quickly, combining Chaotic Signature Burst + Emotional Grounding.
The spirit froze, redirected.
Crisis averted… barely.
---
But the incident highlighted a truth:
> [Insight: Influence is strong, but imperfect]
— Every faction has its own will
---
Hunters were adapting. Exorcists recalibrated arrays. Rogue spirits tested boundaries.
Even the Authority Enforcer observed quietly, likely cataloging these deviations.
---
"…So it's not about controlling everyone," I whispered.
"It's about guiding chaos without breaking it."
---
Above, Mira's voice floated:
"You're learning the hard way. Networks have limits. Every ripple has resistance."
"…Thanks for the reminder," I muttered dryly.
---
The city continued its restless rhythm.
I adjusted my pulses, refined my guidance.
> [System Update: Network Influence – Adjusted Strategy Deployed]
---
But I knew:
This was only the beginning of testing how far influence can reach.
---
> [Status Update:]
— Network Influence: Strong → Moderated
— Multi-Faction Adaptation: Increasing
— Rei Skill Stress: Rising
---
The city waited.
The watchers watched.
And I… floated above, ready to push the limits even further.
---