The streets were quiet now, empty after the chaos that just happened. Smoke still lingered around the tall figure, drifting into the cool night air. The bodies had already hidden them.
"This is the fiftieth time," Haoran said.
"How did you figure it out?" Haoran asked, his voice frustrated but curious.
"We were just eating noodles. I didn't know they were bad guys. I didn't even finish my hotpot." he added.
The shadow man let out a quiet chuckle, a soft sound that didn't match the situation.
"I can sense people's true nature," he replied calmly. "I can feel the darkness in their hearts. Those men weren't just criminals, they were predators, hurting others for their own gain."
"Yeah, and now we have their dirty money," he said, inside his brain.
"You've got money for food," he said simply.
"That's it? No big plan? No grand purpose to this?" Haoran said.
"What's more important to you? The money or the meaning?"
"Time's up. I need my body back," Haoran said, his voice sharp, impatient.
The shadow's voice echoed in his mind, calm and unaffected. "I shall return it to you, for now."
Haoran exhaled, forcing himself to focus. His hands, his feet, everything was still his own. But now, there was something else. Something watching from within, like a second set of eyes in his head. This damn spirit, shadow, or whatever is smoking crap. He thought.
"Fine. But right now, it's my turn," Haoran said, steadying himself.
"You hungry?"
The spirit didn't answer right away. "I don't need food like you do," the spirit said. "I'm made of energy. I don't need sustenance."
Haoran let out a short laugh, his mind still racing from what had just happened.
"Well, damn you, I'm hungry."
There was a slight pause, then the spirit's voice returned, amused. "Then eat your fill."
Haoran snorted, hands in his pockets as he continued walking down the street. He glanced at the street vendors lined up ahead, the bright lights casting a warm glow on the sidewalk. Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the stolen cash, and handed it over for some quick street food.
"Guess I'll have a little feast then," he said with a grin, the food already in his hands as he took a bite.
The spirit, quiet for a moment, seemed almost satisfied. "The world doesn't change, does it?" it said, as if pondering something deeper.
"Just another night. Another meal." the spirit said
They kept walking, the hum of the city around them, fading into the background of the night.