The night in Asakusa felt different.
Not quiet—
But watchful.
Akira stepped out of the inn, the wooden door sliding shut behind him with a soft sound.
Kanae was already waiting.
Leaning lightly against the railing.
Moonlight reflected in her eyes.
"…You're late," she said softly.
Akira scratched the back of his head.
"Had something to check."
Her gaze lingered on him.
Just for a moment.
Then she looked away.
"…Let's go."
They walked side by side.
Not too close.
Not too far.
The distance between them—
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Akira noticed it.
But didn't comment.
Kanae noticed it too.
And said nothing.
After a few minutes—
Akira stopped.
"…There."
Kanae's body tensed.
"…You feel it too?"
He nodded.
A faint pulse spread through his mind.
The Treasure Scanner activated.
"…Two signals," Akira muttered.
"…Strong."
Kanae glanced at him.
"…You can sense them?"
Akira gave a small nod.
"…Something like that."
They turned into a narrow alley.
The smell hit them immediately.
Blood.
Fresh.
Kanae's grip tightened around her sword.
"…Stay alert."
Akira didn't answer.
Because—
He already saw them.
Two figures stood in the shadows.
One… smiling.
Holding a ball.
The other—
Watching.
With eyes embedded in his hands.
"…Found you," Akira said quietly.
Their heads snapped toward him.
Susamaru grinned.
"…You're not normal."
Yahaba's eyes narrowed.
"…We didn't hear you."
Akira smirked slightly.
"…That's the point."
He stepped forward.
"Finished eating?"
Kanae glanced at him.
Susamaru laughed.
"HAHA! What a strange human!"
"Then die!"
She threw the ball.
Akira moved at the last second.
Step—
Turn—
The ball missed him.
BOOM—
The wall behind him shattered.
Yahaba raised his hand.
"Turn!"
The air twisted—
Akira's body shifted—
But he resisted.
"…Gravity manipulation," he muttered.
Another ball came—
Faster.
Akira drew his blade.
CLANG—
Split in half.
Kanae moved.
"Flower Breathing—"
But the ground shifted violently.
"…!"
She lost balance—
Before she fell—
Akira caught her.
"…Careful."
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
Time slowed.
Kanae's heart skipped.
"…I'm fine."
Akira released her.
"…Stay back."
That tone again.
Kanae froze.
(Why…)
"…Akira…"
But he was already gone.
He appeared in front of Yahaba.
Too fast.
"Impossible—!"
Akira swung—
But the force redirected him mid-air.
Susamaru's ball slammed toward him—
BOOM—
Dust filled the alley.
Kanae's breath caught.
"…Akira!"
Silence.
Then—
A figure stepped out.
Unharmed.
Akira exhaled slowly.
"…Annoying."
His stance changed.
Lower.
Sharper.
Focused.
The next attack came—
Dozens of balls—
All redirected—
Impossible angles—
Kanae stepped forward—
But stopped.
She realized—
This wasn't a fight she could control.
Akira moved.
Not fast.
Perfect.
Every step—
Calculated.
Every movement—
Controlled.
Nothing hit him.
Susamaru's grin disappeared.
"…What are you?"
Yahaba's voice trembled.
"…We can't touch him…"
Akira stopped.
"…You're done."
In one movement—
He closed the distance.
Slash—
Yahaba's head fell.
Ash.
Susamaru froze.
Fear.
Real fear.
"…Monster…"
Akira looked at her.
"…No."
Step—
Slash—
Silence.
The alley returned to stillness.
Kanae approached slowly.
"…You've changed."
Akira didn't answer.
"…Not enough."
Then—
He paused.
A pulse spread through his mind again.
Stronger.
He frowned.
"…Lucy."
A soft glow appeared.
[System Explanation]
[Treasure Scanner has evolved after fusion.]
Akira narrowed his eyes.
"…Explain."
[Treasure is no longer limited to objects.]
[Treasure now includes any entity with high value, rarity, or power.]
Akira went silent.
"…So it detects… demons too?"
[Correct.]
[Detection range: 50 kilometers.]
Akira exhaled slowly.
"…Not bad."
[Warning: Detection is not absolute.]
"…Limitations?"
[1. Direction only, not exact position.]
[2. Strong entities may suppress presence.]
[3. Multiple signals may overlap.]
[4. Mental strain possible.]
Akira smirked faintly.
"…So it's not perfect."
[Correct.]
Then—
Another pulse.
Stronger.
He froze.
"…What is that?"
The signal felt different.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Not like the others.
[High-value entity detected.]
[Threat level: Unknown.]
Akira's eyes narrowed.
"…Unknown?"
That had never appeared before.
The signal pulsed again—
Like a heartbeat.
Slow.
Overwhelming.
Kanae noticed his expression.
"…Akira?"
He didn't answer immediately.
His gaze shifted toward the city.
"…There's something else."
Kanae's chest tightened.
"…Stronger?"
Akira nodded slowly.
"…Much stronger."
A faint smile appeared.
But it wasn't relaxed.
"…We're not alone in Asakusa."
The air felt heavier.
Even the night seemed to hold its breath.
Somewhere—
Far away—
Something was watching.
Waiting.
And for the first time—
Akira felt it.
A presence—
Beyond anything he had faced before.
"…Interesting," he murmured.
But his grip tightened slightly.
"…Let's go back."
Kanae looked at him—
Concern growing in her eyes.
But she followed.
The two walked away from the alley.
But the feeling didn't disappear.
It lingered.
Like a shadow—
Stretching silently behind them.
To Be Continued…