Michel's life seemed very ordinary. He lived in a city he had revived, and it was Michel himself who was the mastermind behind all the plans. Walking along the street, he noticed a shop and was ready to execute his devious technique: deceiving those around him. First, he made a wave of his hand that confused people's minds. Somehow, with just that gesture, Michel could manipulate their thoughts, altering their perceptions and casting illusions that drove them mad. Once his trick succeeded, he started picking pockets and, incredibly, no one realized that Michel had committed theft. He checked the bag he took and found a lot of cash inside.
Michel quickly left and used the money to go shopping. Afterward, he headed home, unaware that someone named Xander was watching him from afar. Though Michel occasionally felt like he was being watched, he chose to ignore it.
As he walked home, his bag full of stolen cash, Michel appeared confident, his sharp eyes scanning every corner of the street to ensure no one suspected what he had just done. To him, this was just one of many cunning acts he had perfected over time. Michel relished how effortlessly he could deceive people, manipulating their minds as if they were mere pawns in a chess game under his control. Known as a mysterious figure in the city, Michel had always managed to evade the law. No one truly knew him, and even his true identity remained a secret. He intentionally led a life that appeared normal, just like any other resident, but behind the scenes, he constantly devised heinous acts that only someone as intelligent and ruthless as he could pull off. For him, it wasn't just about money or power; it was an art form, a game that made him feel alive.
Unbeknownst to Michel, someone was indeed watching him from a distance. Xander, a former secret agent with a personal mission to stop Michel, had been following his trail for some time. Xander was meticulous, experienced, and worked in silence. He knew that facing Michel wouldn't be easy; Michel wasn't an ordinary criminal. Michel's skill in creating illusions and controlling minds made him a very dangerous opponent. Xander had spent months gathering information, studying Michel's habits, and crafting a strategy to capture him. Every step he took was careful, leaving no trace behind. Today, after realizing Michel had just pulled off a major theft, Xander felt it was time to make his move. With light steps and caution, he followed Michel into a quiet, dark alleyway.
As Michel walked further into the increasingly deserted alley, he began to sense that something was off. His sharp instincts signaled that something wasn't right, as if an unseen figure was shadowing his every move. But Michel, who usually felt invincible, decided to dismiss it. To him, fear was a weakness he wouldn't allow to control him. He believed he could handle anyone who dared to stand in his way. However, as he moved deeper into the alley, the sound of heavy footsteps abruptly stopped him. Emerging from the dark shadows was a tall figure with a cold gaze. Xander, who had been silently observing Michel, finally revealed himself. In a low, threatening tone, he spoke, "Michel, do you think you can keep committing crimes without anyone stopping you? You might deceive many, but not me."
Michel merely smirked at Xander's words, showing no sign of fear. Calmly, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his pistol, and pointed it at Xander without hesitation. A sly grin appeared on his face as he said, "Do you think I'm afraid of you? I'm the mastermind behind every plan in this city. No one can stop me, especially not an outdated former agent like you." But Xander didn't flinch. With swift movement, he pulled a dark-bladed dagger from his waist—a weapon specially designed to face illusionists like Michel. Xander was well aware of Michel's ability to manipulate minds and create illusions that could make his enemies lose control. But he had prepared himself. With an anti-illusion device in his ear, he ensured his focus remained sharp, unaffected by Michel's tricks. Michel attempted to create a blurry illusion to divert Xander's attention, but Xander stayed calm, keeping his gaze locked on his opponent.
The battle began. Michel, convinced of his unbeatable abilities, believed he could easily defeat Xander. He used his usual hand gestures to disrupt his opponent's mind, but Xander remained steady, unfazed by the illusion magic. Xander was trained for situations like this, and each time Michel attempted an attack, Xander skillfully dodged it. Frustration began to build within Michel, who was used to controlling fights effortlessly. He realized Xander was no ordinary adversary. With remarkable strategy and composure, Xander managed to corner Michel, pushing him back step by step. In a swift move, Xander pinned Michel against the alley wall, holding his blade to Michel's throat. Panting, Xander said, "You might deceive others, but not me. This is the end for you."
But Michel had one last trick up his sleeve. Quickly, he pulled a smoke bomb from his coat pocket and threw it to the ground. Instantly, the alley filled with thick smoke, obscuring vision. Xander tried to maintain focus, but amidst the chaos, Michel managed to escape. As the smoke began to clear, Xander found himself alone in the silent alley. Disappointed, he realized Michel had slipped away, but he was determined that this wasn't over. For Xander, this was only the beginning of a long hunt that would continue until Michel was finally captured and punished for all his crimes.
Standing alone in the now-empty alley, Xander's gaze fixed on the direction Michel had disappeared into the smoke. He took a deep breath, a mix of disappointment and determination filling his chest. Although Michel had escaped, Xander felt this brief encounter had provided valuable insights into his enemy's weaknesses. Every movement, expression, and tactic Michel used was etched in his memory. Now, he had a clearer understanding of how Michel operated and what vulnerabilities he might exploit in their next meeting.
Meanwhile, Michel ran through the city's alleys, suppressing a burning anger within. His encounter with Xander had instilled a new sense of caution; for the first time, he realized there was someone who could match his abilities. Still catching his breath, Michel silently vowed revenge, knowing Xander wasn't just a threat but now his prime target to eliminate. Michel disappeared into the city's shadows, already planning to strengthen his defenses and set a trap for his foe. Meanwhile, Xander walked away from the alley, fully aware that the battle had only just begun.