In the oppressive darkness of the frightening night, Noriko Hoshizawa and the mysterious man who introduced himself as Arasu sat together. Both of them remained in tense silence, contemplating the worsening situation surrounding them.
Noriko felt the heavy burden on her shoulders, as if the entire world were pressing down on her. She knew that the pursuit by the secret police of the Kurogawa faction wouldn't end easily. Her mother's mission to reclaim the Seirei Dynasty's throne and restore her family's honor was a daunting task, and she felt the weight of it now, entangled in a battle filled with danger and death.
Arasu sat beside her with penetrating eyes. Though he was a mysterious man whom Noriko didn't fully understand, the seriousness in his expression hinted at a long history of facing dangerous situations. Noriko herself didn't know what had prompted him to help her, but she felt that she had to trust him, at least for now.
When Noriko finally broke the silence with her question, "What do you want to do now, Arasu?" Arasu pondered for a moment before giving a calm response, "We need to find a safe place. They will surely locate us if we stay here."
Suddenly, the next moment, they heard footsteps approaching. Arasu swiftly moved to pull Noriko into the shadows, trying to avoid being seen by anyone who might be approaching.
Both of them sat in the darkness, watching two figures walking past their hiding place. They were members of the secret police who were still searching for them, and Noriko could feel her heart pounding harder, trying to remain calm in this extremely dangerous situation.
As the secret police officers passed by, Arasu carefully emerged from their hiding spot. "They're everywhere," he whispered with frustration in his voice.
These fugitives continued to explore the gloomy and dusty old building, looking for a place they could use as temporary shelter. They traversed dark hallways and rickety staircases. All of this was the first step in their perilous journey to find Noriko's younger sister, Haru, and confront the Kurogawa faction that was pursuing them.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they found an abandoned, dark room. Arasu checked the surroundings carefully, making sure there was nothing threatening before deciding to enter the room.
As they entered the exceedingly dark room, Arasu cautiously closed the door behind them. The room was incredibly dim, with the only source of light being the faint moonlight sneaking through dust-covered windows.
Noriko felt a cold sweat on her back as they both sat in that room, trying to stay calm and not be overwhelmed by the tension that surrounded them. Arasu, on the other hand, retrieved the bullets he had taken from his pocket. With careful precision, he examined his revolver, ensuring that the cylinder was still closed. In the dimness of the room, he looked into the empty chambers of the cylinder. One by one, with perfect precision, he loaded the bullets into the cylinder.
Noriko was curious about the man. He seemed unafraid and calm, despite having dared to attack secret police officers. How did he obtain a firearm produced only in the Western territories and its ammunition? The girl started to ask him, "So, sir, how did yo-"
"Just call me Arasu, I'm only 20 years old," he said before she could finish her sentence. When he had filled all the chambers with the necessary bullets, he rotated the cylinder back into its original position.
"Alright, Arasu," Noriko said with a sense of curiosity, "Can you read someone's mind?" The question emerged because she felt that Arasu knew what she was thinking. Like the time at the bar when he found out that he was being chased.
Arasu smiled again under the moonlight that swept across his face through the dusty windows. "Young miss, there is a science that attempts to understand a person's nature. It's called psychology," he replied, explaining without going into further detail.
Though Noriko might not have been entirely satisfied with that answer, she felt that there were many mysterious aspects to this young man, and perhaps now was not the right time to dig deeper.
However, their lives were still in great danger, and they couldn't stay in this place forever. Arasu looked at Noriko with seriousness. "What do you want to do now, Noriko? We can't just hide here forever."
Noriko considered the question for a moment before answering with determination, "I want to go to my sister Haru's safehouse in the residential district. I also want to bring her the bread and coffee I have with me. She must be missing me."
Arasu nodded in understanding. "Alright, show me the way. It's my first time in the Capital."
The two of them rose from their seats slowly, approaching the door cautiously. They knew they couldn't linger in this building, even if it provided temporary shelter. As Arasu opened the door slowly, the dim moonlight illuminated the dark corridor in front of them.
They both moved cautiously, trying to make as little noise as possible. Every step they took felt like it was bringing them closer to danger. They navigated through abandoned hallways, explored the eerie old building, and finally, they found a staircase leading to the roof of the building.
Arasu nodded to Noriko, and they both began to climb the stairs. They wanted to reach the roof, where they could have a better view of the situation outside and plan their escape.
As they reached the roof, the night was shrouded in thick fog, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The fog added a touch of magic to this already tense night, but at the same time, it hindered their visibility.
Arasu and Noriko felt the chill of the night breeze piercing their bones on the rooftop. The fog surrounded them like a thin shroud, reducing their field of vision. It made their movements more difficult and heightened the tension in the air.
The sound of approaching helicopters became louder through the thick fog. Arasu immediately moved Noriko to a more sheltered spot on the roof, trying to avoid being detected by the helicopter's searchlights.
As the helicopters flew over them, Arasu and Noriko saw an opportunity to move. They crawled slowly, away from the center of the helicopter's attention, searching for a safe route to escape from the rooftop.
When they reached the edge of the roof and saw a stack of hay that could serve as footholds to jump to the adjacent building, Noriko and Arasu felt as if they were approaching a source of light in the midst of darkness. However, their relief was short-lived because they knew that danger still lurked around every corner of Eikyoto.
With nimble movements, Noriko and Arasu leaped from one rooftop to another. They moved cautiously, trying not to make any noise that might alert the secret police officers of the Kurogawa faction who were still hunting them. The faint moonlight that illuminated the fog allowed them limited visibility.
As they reached the adjacent building, they felt momentary relief. However, they knew they couldn't linger here. Noriko wanted to head to her sister Haru's safehouse in the residential district, and she also wanted to deliver the bread and coffee she had brought with her. All of this was part of her plan to rescue her family from the clutches of the Kurogawa faction and seek vengeance for her parents' deaths.
While Noriko and Arasu continued to move cautiously, they were unaware that someone had appeared in front of them, standing calmly on the same rooftop. This person seemed to have been waiting for them.
She was a young woman with long, flowing black hair that swayed gently in the blurry night. Her gray eyes radiated sharpness, reflecting hidden courage and caution behind her expression. The secret police uniform she wore wrapped around her slender figure neatly, exuding an aura of authority.
In addition, there was an earring in one of her ears, adding a unique touch to her appearance. At her waist hung a Type-54 pistol made in the Yushan State, emitting a deadly charm along with expertise in close combat.
But that wasn't her only weapon. Next to the firearm, an elegantly gleaming katana hung. The captivating sharp blade and beautiful hilt created a deadly yet elegant weapon combination. Yuki was a master of the art of the sword, and her weapons were an extension of her combat prowess.
When Arasu saw the woman, his expression didn't seem overly surprised. It was as if he already knew her. However, Noriko felt anxious and fearful because they were both in an extremely dangerous situation.
The woman smiled cynically as she spoke, "So, White Shadow, you've given us quite an interesting task. Infiltrating our headquarters, stealing documents, and killing some of our members. But now, your game is over."
Arasu, known as White Shadow, only smiled thinly in response. "Always a pleasure to meet you again, Yuki. Are you here to face us alone?"
Yuki, the woman, shook her head as she drew her weapons from their sheaths. "I don't need assistance to deal with both of you."
Noriko felt tense as she looked at the deadly weapons held by Yuki. Her eyes scanned the weapons, and she felt courage welling up within her. Both of them knew they had to confront a formidable opponent, and this would be one of the greatest tests in their journey.
With caution, Arasu and Yuki stood on the fog-covered rooftop, creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. They were on the brink of an upcoming battle, and the tension in the air grew stronger. Meanwhile, another group of Kurogawa faction secret police might already be approaching them cautiously.
At this moment, they had to rely on their well-honed abilities and strong determination to face the imminent danger to their lives. Trapped on the rooftop, in the thick night fog, they had to determine their own fate in a battle that would determine the course of their journey. There was no place to escape, and their only choice was to advance and confront the approaching danger.