Arc II: Broken Heart
Chapter 6: Midnight in New York
The night breeze brushed across the rooftops as Jin Yuan walked silently, his long black hair fluttering in the wind. The lower half of his pale face was covered by a dark mask, his skin almost ghostly under the moonlight. His massive katana rested sheathed across his back, and he wore his usual black suit and fingerless gloves — a silhouette born of darkness itself.
> "Tch… 12:03 a.m. Still nothing happened."
He muttered, glancing at the small pocket timer watch in his hand.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his head — fragments of memories flashing like broken glass. He clenched his fists, shaking his head violently, forcing the visions back into the depths of his mind.
> "I want to get rid of these useless memories… everyone betrayed me. No one ever cared like they do in those false images."
He leapt across to another rooftop, landing silently on the edge. Below, the streets of New York stretched into darkness. A girl with soft pink hair and bright eyes jogged through the streets, her casual hoodie bouncing lightly as she moved — a small fragment of life in a lifeless city.
Jin Yuan's eyes followed her — not with desire, but with detachment. Even though she was stunningly beautiful, he observed her like one might watch a shadow flicker past.
> "She's just out for a late workout... Nothing strange so far."
He sighed, resting one hand on his blade.
> "Seems those rumors were fake... I'm disappointed."
Standing, he turned to walk along the edge of the rooftop — but when his eyes flicked back to the street below, the girl was gone.
Only her water bottle lay abandoned on the pavement.
> "She... disappeared? No... Seems the rumors are real."
Without hesitation, Jin Yuan dropped from the rooftop. The impact echoed faintly in the alley as he straightened, eyes scanning the darkness. The streets were silent — too silent. Closing his eyes, he focused, listening carefully.
A sound.
Footsteps. Running.
Jin Yuan's eyes snapped open.
Without a word, he began to run — chasing the faint echo through the night.