The chill in the air deepened as Jun Xin walked, the faint glow of streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement. His footsteps echoed in the silence, but the uneasy feeling in his chest only grew heavier. He wasn't alone.
Jun Xin's grip tightened on the small device in his pocket, a portable mana scanner he carried for emergencies. He activated it subtly, the screen lighting up with faint readings. It was there—just barely—a presence following him, keeping its distance but persistent in its pursuit.
Stay calm, he thought. Don't let them know you've noticed.
Turning down a quieter alley, Jun Xin's mind raced. He knew it wasn't just paranoia. Park's warnings, the escalating danger in the Gates, and now this—someone was watching him, and it wasn't by coincidence.
The alley opened into a small, dimly lit square. Jun Xin stopped in the center, pretending to adjust his shoe as he glanced around. The shadows seemed deeper here, and he could feel the presence growing closer.
"Who's there?" he said aloud, his voice steady but edged with caution.
No answer came, but the air seemed to thicken, pressing against his skin.
Jun Xin straightened, his eyes scanning the darkness. "If you're trying to scare me, it's not working. Just come out already."
A figure stepped forward, emerging from the shadows. Clad in black from head to toe, their face was obscured by a mask, and their movements were unnervingly silent.
"Seo Jun Xin," the figure said, their voice distorted, mechanical. "You've been asking too many questions."
Jun Xin's mind worked quickly. Who sent them? Park? Someone else? He forced a smirk, hoping to mask his unease. "Asking questions isn't a crime. At least, not yet."
The figure tilted their head slightly. "It's not the questions that are the problem. It's the answers you're finding."
Before Jun Xin could respond, the figure moved. In a blur of motion, they closed the distance between them, striking out with a blade that gleamed faintly in the dim light.
Jun Xin barely managed to dodge, the blade slicing through the air where he had just been standing. His heart pounded as he scrambled back, his instincts kicking in. He wasn't a fighter, but his analytical mind was already calculating his options.
"Why don't we talk this out?" he said, his voice tinged with forced humor as he reached into his coat. His fingers found the small device he had been working on earlier that week—a prototype mana disruptor.
The figure lunged again, faster this time. Jun Xin twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding another strike. He activated the device, and a sharp pulse of energy filled the air. The figure stumbled, their movements faltering as the disruptor temporarily disrupted their mana flow.
Jun Xin didn't wait for them to recover. He bolted, his legs carrying him out of the square and down another alley. The disruptor wouldn't hold them off for long, but it gave him a head start.
Jun Xin's lungs burned as he ran, weaving through the maze-like streets. His mind raced as fast as his feet. Who was this attacker? What did they want? And how did they find him?
He ducked into a small convenience store, the bright fluorescent lights contrasting the darkness outside. The cashier glanced up but didn't say anything, too focused on their phone.
Jun Xin moved to the back, pretending to browse the shelves as he caught his breath. He checked the mana scanner again. The readings were faint, but the presence was still there, lingering outside.
His fingers tapped against his thigh as he thought. He couldn't go home—not with someone tracking him. And he couldn't call for help; he didn't know who to trust anymore.
Jun Xin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the store door opening. His heart sank as he saw the figure step inside, black attire against the bright interior.
They moved purposefully, their masked face turning toward him. Jun Xin grabbed the nearest item—a can of soup—and hurled it at the figure. It wasn't much, but it bought him a second to sprint toward the back exit.
The figure dodged the can effortlessly and gave chase, their footsteps echoing behind him.
Jun Xin burst through the back door into a narrow alley. He glanced around, he's looking for an escape route. Then he spotted it—a fire escape ladder hanging just within reach.
He jumped, his fingers brushing the metal. With a desperate effort, he pulled himself up, climbing as fast as he could. Below, the figure reached the alley, their gaze snapping upward as they spotted him.
They raised their hand, and Jun Xin's eyes widened as a burst of mana shot toward him. He ducked, the energy blast scorching the wall inches from his head.
Jun Xin reached the rooftop, his chest heaving as he looked for another way out. The city stretched before him, its lights twinkling in the distance.
The sound of footsteps on the fire escape spurred him into action. He moved toward the edge, spotting another building a few feet away.
I can make it, he thought.
He backed up, took a running start, and leaped. The gap wasn't wide, but the landing was rough. He stumbled, nearly losing his balance, but managed to stay on his feet.
The figure landed behind him moments later, their movements fluid and controlled.
"Persistent, aren't you?" Jun Xin muttered, his voice laced with irritation.
The figure didn't respond. They raised their hand again, another mana burst charging in their palm.
Jun Xin acted on instinct, pulling out the disruptor and activating it again. The pulse of energy disrupted the figure's attack, making them stagger.
But this time, the disruptor sparked and died, its charge depleted."Damn it!." Jun Xin cursed under his breath.
The figure straightened, their masked face tilting as if in amusement. "You're clever," they said. "But not clever enough."
They lunged faster than before. Jun Xin barely managed to dodge, but the edge of their blade grazed his arm, drawing blood. He hissed in pain, clutching the wound as he backed away.
The figure advanced, their movements predatory. Jun Xin's mind raced, searching for a way out. Then he spotted it—a loose pipe sticking out of the rooftop.
As the figure closed in, Jun Xin grabbed the pipe and swung it with all his strength. The impact caught the figure off guard, knocking them back a few steps.
Taking advantage of the moment, Jun Xin bolted again, this time heading toward the rooftop door. He slammed it open and raced down the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the narrow stairwell.
Jun Xin burst out onto the street, his chest heaving as he glanced around. The streets were quieter now, the city's usual busyness replaced by an eerie quietness.
He didn't have time to catch his breath. The figure would be right behind him.
"Over here!" a voice hissed.
Jun Xin turned, spotting a young woman standing in the shadows of a nearby alley. She wore a hooded jacket, her face partially obscured, but her sharp eyes gleamed with urgency.
"Who—" Jun Xin started, but she cut him off.
"No time. They're coming. Follow me if you want to live."
Jun Xin hesitated for only a second before following her. He didn't have many options, and something about her seemed genuine.
The woman led him through a series of winding alleys, her movements quick and precise. She seemed to know the city's backstreets like the back of her hand.
Finally, they ducked into an abandoned building, the door creaking shut behind them. The woman motioned for Jun Xin to stay quiet as she peeked through a crack in the door.
After a few tense moments, she turned back to him. "We're safe. For now."
Jun Xin leaned against the wall, his body aching from the chase. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice low.
The woman pulled back her hood, revealing short, dark hair and a determined expression. "My name's Hana," she said. "And if you're smart, you'll start explaining why someone like you has assassins after them."
Jun Xin blinked, surprised by her bluntness. "I could ask you the same thing. Why did you help me?"
Hana crossed her arms. "Because I don't like bullies. And because I've been watching you."
Jun Xin tensed. "Watching me? Why?"
"Let's just say we have a common enemy," Hana replied. Her gaze was sharp, assessing him. "Now start talking. What do you know about the Gates?"
Jun Xin hesitated, unsure of how much he could trust her. But something told him he didn't have a choice.
Outside, the masked figure stood in the shadows, their posture tense. They touched the side of their mask, activating a communicator.
"Target escaped," they said, their voice low and mechanical.
A distorted voice replied, cold and commanding. "Find him. And this time, don't let him slip away. We can't afford loose ends."
The figure nodded, their eyes narrowing. "Understood."
In the distance, the faint glow of the city lights reflected off their blade as they disappeared into the night. The hunt is far from over.