As I walked away from the station, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I glanced at the notification. It was from the delivery service.
[Your packages have arrived!]
I allowed myself a brief moment of satisfaction. 'Finally.' I thought. The materials I needed to start building were waiting for me, and I wasn't about to waste a second.
Without hesitation, I blended into the crowd, keeping my movements subtle. Once I was out of sight, I slipped into an alleyway and let my hoodie fall back slightly.
'Let's make this quicker.'
Bending my knees slightly, I jumped, propelling myself up to the fire escape of a nearby building with ease. My hands gripped the metal railing as I swung myself up in one fluid motion, my feet landing silently on the rooftop.
The city stretched out before me, its streets bustling with life. Alessandria had a mix of old-world charm and modern functionality. Narrow cobblestone roads wound through districts of aged brick buildings, their façades dotted with colorful laundry lines and small flower boxes. In contrast, the newer areas had sleek, glass-fronted skyscrapers and neon-lit signs and holograms advertising hunter equipment and mana crystal markets.
From my vantage point, the city felt alive in a way few places did. But I wasn't here to admire the view.
I began moving across the rooftops, letting my enhanced strength and reflexes do their work. My legs coiled like springs as I leapt from one building to another, clearing gaps with ease. The wind rushed past my face as I landed, rolling smoothly to absorb the impact before darting forward again.
A gap wider than the others came into view. Without pausing, I sprinted to the edge of the roof and jumped, twisting my body mid-air. My hands gripped the edge of the opposite building, and I swung myself up with practiced precision.
'This feels good.' I thought, a faint satisfaction blooming as I pushed myself further.
A lower roof loomed ahead. I kicked off the ledge and dropped into a controlled descent, landing in a crouch. Without breaking momentum, I slid under a metal pipe and vaulted over an air conditioning unit.
Below me, the streets were alive with the murmur of civilians going about their day. Market vendors called out to passersby, cars honked in the distance, and the occasional Hunter Association van zipped by, its logo glinting in the sunlight.
I reached a taller building and scaled the wall effortlessly, using ledges and protrusions as handholds. The city blurred around me as I focused on the rhythm of my movements.
Pull, push, leap, land.
Every move felt natural, like my body was built for this. My muscles coiled and released with perfect efficiency, and I reveled in the sheer physicality of it. It wasn't just strength, it was control, precision, and balance working in harmony.
As I neared my neighborhood, I slowed my pace, coming to a stop on a rooftop that overlooked my apartment. The building below me was unassuming, blending in with the rest of the modest residential area.
I spotted the delivery van parked near the entrance, the courier unloading several large boxes onto a cart. My packages.
I climbed down the side of the building, dropping into the alley behind my apartment. Dusting myself off, I walked around to the front just as the courier was finishing up.
He glanced at me and nodded. "You're Adam Sen?"
"That's me." I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
"Your stuff's all here." He tapped a handheld device and handed it to me. "Sign here."
I scribbled my name, and the courier gave me a thumbs-up before heading back to his van.
I stared at the stack of boxes, my mind already buzzing with plans. Everything I needed was here. It was time to get to work.
....
I was about to pick up the first box when a faint sound reached my ears, someone moving fast, too fast for a civilian. My head snapped toward the noise just as a figure landed in front of me, the impact sending up a small cloud of dust.
The woman who appeared was short, standing a head shorter than me, but her presence was anything but small. She exuded fierceness, her athletic build emphasized by her tight hunter uniform. Her dark, smooth skin gleamed under the sunlight, and her braided hair swayed slightly as she approached.
She stopped a few feet away and pulled out a badge, holding it up for me to see. "Hunter Association Enforcement Division!" she said, her tone firm and no-nonsense. "Do you have authorization to use your powers in public spaces?"
I scratched the back of my head, realization dawning on me. 'Of course.' I thought, grimacing internally. 'Jumping across rooftops without a permit... stupid, but.. enjoyable.'
"I, uh... don't have one." I admitted, my voice even.
Her sharp brown eyes narrowed. "Are you at least a registered hunter?"
I shook my head, keeping my expression neutral.
The woman sighed heavily, clearly annoyed. "Then I'm going to have to fine you. Using enhanced abilities in public without proper registration or authorization is a violation of Association regulations."
I raised a hand slightly, trying to defuse the situation. "Forgive me." I said, my tone calm but sincere. "It was an oversight. Can't you close an eye this one time?"
She planted her hands on her hips, emphasizing her curvaceous figure, and glared at me. "Don't try to charm me. You're not going to wriggle out of this. Rules are rules."
'Awà.' I thought quickly, 'scan her.'
[Scanning...]
A moment later, her calm voice echoed in my mind. [She is a D-Rank hunter. Mana flow and musculature are consistent with mid-tier combat specialists.]
I considered my options and spoke again, keeping my tone measured. "What if I apply for a rank evaluation? Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
The woman hesitated, her stern expression softening slightly as she thought it over. "Technically, if you apply for evaluation, it'll count as your registration process... and since this is your first violation, I could let it slide."
I nodded. "One week." I said firmly. "I'll schedule the evaluation and take care of it."
She crossed her arms over her chest, studying me for a moment before sighing. "Fine. One week." She pulled out her phone. "But I'll need your number to follow up."
I raised an eyebrow, catching the faint blush that crept across her face despite her dark complexion. She quickly added, "Not like that! I-It's just for follow-up purposes. Association rules.."
I smirked inwardly but kept my face neutral, handing over my number. She saved it quickly and tucked her phone away, clearing her throat. "Alright. Don't make me regret this."
"I won't." I said simply.
With that, she stepped back, crouched slightly, and leapt into the air, disappearing over the nearby rooftops with the same speed she'd arrived.
I exhaled, shaking my head as I turned back to the boxes. Picking them up one by one, I carried them upstairs, the sound of her landing and departure still echoing faintly in my mind.