Chapter 12: Day 5 – Unseen Eyes
The night air was thick with the hum of the city. Ain walked along the sidewalk, his footsteps light despite the bruises still stinging from his alley brawl. His body ached, but the victory had been worth it. As always, though, the real challenge was just beginning.
As he neared his small apartment, the familiar sense of unease crept in. He'd spent too much time in the gym, training, and his eyes were starting to play tricks on him. Everywhere he went, he felt as if someone was watching. The feeling had been growing ever since the encounter with the thugs. And now, it felt even more pronounced.
Ain slowed his pace, his eyes darting from shadow to shadow, scanning for any movement. A deep breath in, and the stillness of the night seeped into his bones. His mind was sharp, too sharp, as though he were sensing things beyond the normal scope. The new skill he'd gained, Tracker's Intuition, was on high alert. The passive skill heightened his senses, a sixth sense that tugged at the edges of his awareness.
The hairs on his neck stood up as he passed a narrow alley. There, in the shadows, a figure shifted. Ain's breath caught in his throat, his muscles tensing as he instinctively dropped into a defensive stance.
Before he could react, the figure stepped forward, revealing itself in the dim light. It was a man, tall, dressed in a long coat, his face partially obscured by a hood. Ain's instincts screamed that this wasn't a random encounter.
"You're getting better," the man said, his voice smooth and calm, yet carrying an unmistakable edge.
Ain's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?"
The man chuckled softly. "That's the question, isn't it? I was hoping you'd ask."
Ain's muscles tightened further. He could feel the danger in the air, a subtle shift that made him want to step back, to prepare for a fight. But something told him this wasn't just any random opponent. This man had purpose, and that made him dangerous.
"I'm someone who's been keeping an eye on you," the man continued, stepping closer, his footsteps almost silent. "Jack Stanford has taken an interest in you."
Ain's heart skipped a beat. Jack Stanford. The name alone sent a ripple of anger through him. This man knew about Jack—perhaps even more than Ain himself did.
"Jack Stanford? What does he want with me?" Ain growled, his hands clenching into fists. He wasn't sure what kind of game Jack was playing, but Ain wasn't about to let him control this situation.
The man paused, then smiled in a way that was almost... knowing. "Jack doesn't care about you, Ain. Not really. Not yet, anyway. What he cares about is your potential. And how much longer you can keep pretending you're just a victim of fate."
Ain's eyes flashed. "You think I'm pretending?"
The man tilted his head. "I think you're trying to outrun something that's been chasing you your whole life. But you're getting stronger, Ain. You're growing faster than I expected."
"I'm not interested in whatever game you and Jack are playing," Ain snapped, stepping back slightly. "If you've got a message, give it. If not, stay out of my way."
The man's smile faltered, but he didn't seem fazed. Instead, he simply observed Ain, as if analyzing him from head to toe.
"Suit yourself," the man said, his voice turning colder.
With a swift movement, the man turned and disappeared back into the shadows, as quietly as he had come. Ain stood there for a moment, feeling a cold chill creep over him. The words lingered in his mind: Jack had taken an interest in him.
---
The Next Day
Ain woke up the next morning with a sense of urgency gnawing at him. The strange encounter the night before had only left him with more questions. Who was that man? And how deep did Jack's influence reach? It seemed like everyone had an agenda, and Ain was caught in the middle of it.
The gym, however, was a place of focus, and that was where Ain intended to spend most of his day. His training needed to continue. He couldn't afford distractions. Yet, as he entered the gym, he noticed something unusual. The atmosphere felt tense, almost suffocating. The gym was busier than usual, with people whispering and exchanging nervous glances.
Coach Vargas stood near the entrance, his stern gaze scanning the room. When he saw Ain, his expression softened slightly, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.
"Something's going on," Vargas said in a low voice. "I don't know what it is, but the gym's not as safe as it used to be."
Ain frowned. "What do you mean? Is there something I should know?"
Vargas hesitated before answering. "There's been a lot of talk lately. About you. About your progress. And I don't think it's just your training people are interested in."
Ain's stomach twisted. He'd known that his rise in power hadn't gone unnoticed, but he hadn't realized it had reached this point. "What are you saying? Am I in danger?"
Vargas looked around cautiously. "It's not just about you, Ain. There's something bigger happening. I don't know all the details, but... you might want to stay on your toes."
Ain's mind raced as he processed the words. It was Jack. And there were other forces at play. The gym had always been a safe space for him, a place to hone his skills. Now, it felt like the walls were closing in.
"Alright," Ain said, his voice steady. "I'll be careful."
Coach Vargas nodded and turned to leave, but before he could, Ain stopped him. "Wait. Do you know anything about a guy in a long coat? Tall, hooded? He was watching me last night."
Vargas's face went pale. He looked over his shoulder again before stepping closer to Ain. "You've seen him too?" he asked in a whisper.
Ain nodded. "Yeah. He's been following me. And I'm guessing he's connected to whatever's happening."
"That's bad news," Vargas said, his voice barely audible. "I've heard rumors about someone like that. A fixer. All I can say is he's with Jack, and he's definitely not someone you want to cross."
Ain clenched his fists. "I'm not afraid of anyone, Vargas. But I need to know what I'm dealing with. I can't keep guessing."
Vargas sighed. "I'll see what I can find out. Just... be careful. You're not just training for a fight against bullies anymore.
---
A New Test
Ain spent the next few hours in the gym, pushing himself harder than ever before. The weight of the unknown was like a constant pressure on his chest, but he refused to let it slow him down. He needed to be stronger. He had to be.
After his training session, as he was about to leave, a strange figure approached him. It wasn't the man in the long coat, but someone just as mysterious. This new figure was dressed in dark clothes, with sharp mask and a calculating gaze. There was something about him that made Ain's gut twist in warning.
"You're Ain Lalder, aren't you?" the figure asked, his voice smooth and cold.
Ain straightened, instinctively reaching for his phone, but then stopped himself. He didn't want to make the first move just yet. "Who's asking?"
The man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I've been watching you. You got potential. I'm impressed."
Ain said nothing, waiting for the man to continue.
"I've got an offer for you," the man said, his voice lowering. "I can help you get stronger. I can train you. But you have to join me. Join my cause."
Ain's eyes narrowed. "What cause? Who are you?"
The man's smile widened, revealing a glint of malice. "That's not important right now. What's important is that you can be something more than just a fighter. You can be something... great."
Ain took a step back. "I'm not interested."
The man's expression didn't falter. "That's what I thought you'd say. But I'll be watching. You'll come around. They always do."
With that, the man turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd. Ain stood there, watching him go. He was beginning to understand—there were more people out there who had a stake in his future than he could have ever imagined.
But one thing was clear: Ain was no longer just fighting for survival. He was fighting for something much bigger than himself.
And he wouldn't let anyone dictate his path.
---
Aftermath
That night, as Ain lay in bed, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being pulled in different directions. The more he trained, the more powerful he became, but the more dangerous the world around him seemed.
The next phase of his journey was going to be harder than he ever expected. But untill then all he could and would do is to take a nap