A soldier's yawn echoed through the dark alley, breaking the stillness of the night.
It was his turn to patrol this part of the city. Though the hour was late and his eyes were heavy with fatigue, he kept moving, driven by his sense of duty.
This area was quiet, especially at this time. So when he heard muffled voices nearby, his curiosity—and concern—was instantly sparked.
He stopped, listening closely for more sounds. The alley was dimly lit, and shadows seemed to shift with every flicker of the distant street lamps.
Summoning his courage, he crept toward the voices, keeping himself hidden as he peered around a corner.
To his surprise, he spotted three figures wearing grotesque masks, their movements casual as they strolled down the alley. He recognized the masks—they matched the faces on the wanted posters spread by the city guards.
"Aren't they the ones with the bounty?" he muttered, heart pounding.
Rumors of masked vigilantes had been circulating, and capturing them would surely earn him favor with the Marquis. But he was alone, and the thought of confronting three dangerous individuals made him hesitate.
Choosing to follow instead of engage, he trailed them silently, staying far enough behind as they crossed several alleyways. The trio moved on, unaware of his presence, until they reached a rundown building deep within the twisting streets.
The soldier watched as they disappeared inside. Curious, he crept closer, spotting a small hole in the wall where he could spy on them.
To his surprise, he saw them vanish into a hidden entrance that led underground.
"Is this… their hideout?" he whispered, his mind racing. If this really was their base, reporting it could earn him great rewards and recognition from his superiors.
Without wasting time, he turned and sprinted away, eager to inform the officers. His heart pounded with excitement and fear as he raced through the empty streets, his footsteps echoing in the silence of the night.
…
In the dim underground passage, the trio moved carefully. The walls, lined with faintly glowing stones, cast an eerie light that flickered as they walked.
"It looks like he's gone," Yuna said, her voice echoing in the tunnel. "The soldiers will be here soon."
"As expected from Miss Yuna," Zhao Shi remarked, admiration clear in his tone.
Zhao Shi had noticed the underground passage on his first visit, which had sparked Yuna's plan. They had allowed the patrolling soldier to spot them, knowing he would report back and bring reinforcements.
"Quite the fancy entrance," Spark commented, glancing at the glowing stones along the walls.
The setting was more elaborate than Spark had imagined. The building above was just a front, while this underground path likely connected to the gang's main hideout.
The stones, called glowstones, were rare gems mined from deep within the earth. Though mostly used for decoration and lighting, their soft glow gave the surroundings a magical, almost dreamlike feel.
Spark brushed his fingers along one of the stones, feeling the cool, almost unnatural energy it gave off. "Pretty fancy for a bunch of bandits."
The trio ventured deeper into the passage. The soft light of the glow stones lit their way, casting long shadows that shifted and twisted with every step they took.