I felt it before I saw him.
A sharp pressure locking onto my core.
Not curious.
Not emotional.
Professional.
---
> [Warning: High-Level Hunter Detected.]
"…You could've told me sooner."
> [Response: Detection threshold just met.]
Useless.
---
A man stood on the rooftop across from me.
Dark coat.
Glasses etched with symbols.
A metal case in one hand.
He looked… normal.
That was the problem.
---
"So you're the anomaly," he said calmly.
His voice carried.
Too clearly.
---
I drifted back.
Slowly.
Not panicking.
Not yet.
---
"New spirit. System-assisted," he continued.
"Unregistered."
He smiled.
"I hate paperwork."
---
> [Hunter Classification:]
— Exorcist (Mid Tier)
Threat Level: High
Mid tier?
Already?
---
I bolted.
No warning.
Straight through a wall.
---
The hunter snapped the case open.
Symbols flared.
Chains of light burst into existence.
---
> [Spatial Restriction Detected.]
The chains wrapped around the air itself.
My movement slowed.
My core pulsed in pain.
---
> Spirit Core Stability: Fluctuating
"…This is unfair."
> [Agreement: Confirmed.]
---
I focused.
Pulled every stray emotion in range.
Fear from below.
Anger from traffic.
Frustration from the hunter himself.
Compressed.
---
The hunter's expression changed.
Just slightly.
---
"What—"
The pulse hit.
---
The chains cracked.
Not broken.
But weakened.
---
The hunter clicked his tongue.
"Adaptive already. Annoying."
---
He raised a talisman.
Light gathered.
Too much.
Too fast.
---
> [Warning: Lethal Suppression Incoming.]
I didn't think.
I dove.
Straight down.
Through concrete.
Through floors.
Through screaming humans I couldn't see.
---
The blast missed me by meters.
The building shook.
Alarms blared.
---
I emerged blocks away.
Barely holding form.
> Spirit Core Integrity: 68%
"…I lived."
> [Confirmation: Barely.]
---
From afar, I felt his gaze again.
Not chasing.
Not yet.
---
"Next time," he murmured faintly, carried by resonance,
"I'll bring better tools."
---
I floated into the shadows.
Heart racing.
If I still had one.
---
> [New Flag Triggered:]
— Marked by Hunter Network
"…That sounds bad."
> [Evaluation: Extremely.]
---