Arc II: Broken Heart
Chapter 7: The Shadow Hunt
The sound of running footsteps echoed through the empty streets.
Jin Yuan sprinted after them, his coat flowing like a shadow behind him. The footsteps grew fainter, but he didn't panic — instead, he stopped, closing his eyes to listen.
Every sound, every rhythm of the city faded away.
Only those frantic footsteps remained.
> "Tch... where are they going?"
He muttered, his expression sharp.
With a single leap, Jin Yuan landed on a lower rooftop, then vaulted higher, rising above the silent city. From his vantage point, the world looked dead — except for movement below.
Three men.
Dragging the pink-haired girl he'd seen earlier. Her wrists were tied, and they were running through the dark streets with her like prey.
Jin Yuan exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.
> "Die."
He unsheathed his massive katana and, with inhuman precision, hurled it downward.
The blade whistled through the air — then pierced straight through one man's chest from behind. The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed faintly in the alley.
Before the others could react, Jin Yuan dropped from the rooftop, landing like a beast among them.
> "Oi... oi."
The remaining two men raised their guns — but Jin Yuan was already moving. His movements were calm, practiced, almost elegant. A twist, a strike, a broken wrist — then silence.
> "What a pity," he said, dusting off his gloves. "Can't even land a hit."
When the final body fell, Jin Yuan turned back to the girl. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion. Kneeling, he untied the ropes binding her wrists and helped her stand.
> Girl: "Th... thank you..."
Jin Yuan: (expressionless) "Hm."
Girl: "What's your... name?"
Jin Yuan: "Hm. Yuan. You can call me Yuan."
Girl: "Yuan... I'm Emily. Emily Hina."
Jin Yuan: "Yeah."
As she steadied herself, Jin Yuan's eyes wandered over the scene — the lifeless bodies, the dark alleys, the faint reflection of moonlight on blood. The streets were empty, silent.
But somewhere above, unseen — a small security camera blinked faintly red.
Jin Yuan didn't notice.