The rain splashed down cats and dogs. The sky, barely seen above the dark hood of clouds and the skyscrapers that rose to the same sky. Most people would be indoors tonight. But not me. I needed this walk. My body needed this rush of cold air against my face and the rhythm of my steps as I plodded along the pavement. It was the only thing that would clear my head today. Streetlights spilled a sickly yellow over the wet sidewalk. Cars sped by, their tires splashing puddles as they passed. It's getting to the point where the puddles are large enough that they splash the sidewalk too.
Shop fronts, all dark now that they've closed up for the day. A few of them glowed in neon lights, showing off that they are open at this time at night. On nights like this, it feels like the whole city is holding its breath. It's waiting for the storm to blow over and the sun to come out before it fills with people again.
I pulled my jacket around me, but it wasn't really necessary. I had my aura shield, a shimmering clear bubble of mana that surrounded my body, repelling the rain from my clothes. The water beaded and rolled right off of me, leaving me entirely dry underneath. As long as you have enough mana, you can keep this thing going for several hours. I could keep it going for several weeks if I wanted to.
Still, even with the shield, my spine shivered. That's the one thing the shield can't shield me from, the cold. Of course, I could heat myself with mana- but then I would have to drop the shield. I prefer being cold then wet.
Though, to be honest, another thing was weighing on my back. This feeling weighed heavily, like a burden. I mean- Tower after Tower, briefing after briefing. We're never really off-duty, not when you're one of the higher-ranked. I couldn't remember the last time I was ever allowed to simply relax. It's gonna give me wrinkles…
God, wouldn't it be nice to just stay home for once? Marathon some insane or even cheesey show, wrap myself up in a blanket, and act like a normal person? But no!... They'd call me in the middle of an episode- right in the best part!- and instruct me to replace some A-rank team who got in over their heads. Again.
I exhaled sharply through my nostrils and kicked a pebble, it skittered down into a gutter.
Oh! And don't even get me started about the rest of the Guild. Half are too busy obsessing over kills and ranks to know we're here to save people. And the other half? They look at me like I'm either a time bomb waiting to explode or a glorified security system. Megara Ji-Chon—S-rank wonderchild, mana control poster child, the "Dancing Ghost." Yeah, I've seen the forums. I wish I hadn't. None of them ever ask me how I am- Not that I'd answer if they did.
As I walked, venting to myself, I saw a flash of color. a neon pink sign illuminating among the misty haze in the distance.
Ah. There it is.
The tiny convenience store was wedged between a laundromat and a pet store/vet, almost invisible beneath an awning loaded down with rain. The automatic doors creaked a little as they swung open, and the hot air inside reeked of instant noodles, plastic wrap, and cheap air freshener. I love it.
Within the store, it was silent except the soft bleep of refrigerator doors and faint hum of the fluorescent lights. I strolled by the aisles like a dozen times, the cashier looking up to catch my face with a grin.
"Hey, oh you're here again! Run late today, yeah?"
"Mm." I tried to flash her a weak grin. "Huge walk."
"Ya' know," he smiled, "You're starting to become a regular!" He giggled.
I nod, noticing his genuine grin. I grabbed a steaming, soft red bean bun straight from the warm display case, and a carton of chocolate milk from the cold case. The chill frosted my fingertips through the aura shield. Afterward, I headed to the counter and sat the stuff on top.
"Yeah, it's nice." I take in a deep breath, taking in the whole vibe.
"I'm glad, Meg." He said, grabbing a bag from the under desk. "Oh! Those are half-price, you know," the cashier said as he scanned the items on the counter. "One chocolate milk, get the second one for half off."
He grinned from ear to ear. Rolling my eyes with a faint huff and reaching back into the fridge. "Fine. Twist my arm!" I shout sarcastically.
"You'll thank me later!" he giggled.
The bell clanked gently as I stepped back outside into the rain. The warmth of the store vanished instantly, giving way once again to chill and quiet and the soft rush of distant tires on wet roads. The two milks bounced in my purse, peeking out from it. I held the paper bag with the bun in one head, listening to the cadence of the rainfall. Suddenly, just a mile away from the store, I heard my phone ring.
I did not take a close look right away. I knew that tone… Sighing, I withdrew it from my overcoat pocket and answered.
"Megera Ji-chon! You have been assigned, as the closest one in the area, to investigate a secret disturbance. There isn't a word on a Tower breach as of yet, but there is word that an intelligent monster might've escaped. Investigate the site of the last victim. Ensure no break has occurred. Eliminate target if hostile."
I closed my eyes, tilted my head back, and let the rain hit the shield over my face with a soft hiss.
"There went my night…" I whispered.
I hung up and immediately, a red dot appeared on a GPS map. Great… A few blocks east. By the alley behind the bar district.
I took a bite of the red bean bun. Chewed. Swallowed. Sighed once more. "Fine. Let's see what little monster thought it was a good idea to drift into my evening off."
And so I approached the red dot, the rain striking my shield with the rhythmic beat of a warning drum.