YOSUKE ■ ■ ■ ■
I broke away from the others, moving across the ceilings for faster speed. My steps were silent, my body light. From above, I saw people rushing out of their rooms, eyes wide with fear, clutching their loved ones. Their panic filled the air, but… no one was injured. Not yet.
As I neared the corner of the motel, smoke curled into the sky. My instincts sharpened—the invader was there.
A quick glance back told me I had already passed Yuri and Taro's room. Relief loosened my chest. At least they were safe.
Thankfully, my training session with Sai and Jiro earlier hadn't drained much of my light core. I was ready.
I rounded the corner, but the street was empty. No enemy in sight. Then— fsshhh! A sharp hiss. A rod of fire shot at me from behind, its speed deadly. I twisted at the last instant, the heat grazing past me.
From the corner of my eye, I caught him. A figure cloaked in a cape, trying to escape into the alleys.
I surged forward, my body blurring with speed. At first, I could barely keep up. But with every step, I closed the gap. My hand brushed the edge of his cape—
BOOM!
He cast a spell, a roaring mix of fire and wind, blasting apart a small bridge between us. Shards of stone and dust cut the line of pursuit, forcing me back. By the time the smoke cleared, he was gone.
I cursed under my breath. What is he after? My first thought had been an object. But no—if that were the case, he would have cut down innocents without hesitation. Yet not a single person had been harmed.
That meant only one thing. He was after a person. Someone he wanted alive. But who?
I vaulted onto a nearby rooftop, scanning the streets. The motel bell rang out, its sound slicing through the chaos. My eyes locked on movement below—there he was.
Without hesitation, I leapt into the air. Space folded around me as I whispered the words.
Shadow Step.
I reappeared behind him. His body stiffened, his eyes wide with fear. "Shadow Step…" he breathed, as if naming his executioner.
No more hesitation.
Wind surged around my right hand as I drove my fist into his face. At the same time, my left hand carved the ground with earth magic, raising a wall. The force of my punch shattered it instantly, the shockwave sending dust and debris flying.
He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
I slung his limp body over my shoulder and sprinted back toward the motel.
When I reached Yuri's room, I set the body down outside and pushed the door open. The sight before me loosened something in my chest—everyone was safe. Sai, Jiro, Yuri, even Taro.
They rushed me with questions, their voices overlapping in panic. I lifted a hand. "Calm down. Everything's fine." My words came out firm, steady, but inside… I felt something strange.
Warmth.
It was beautiful, being surrounded by people who cared. I hadn't known this feeling as a child. That's why it felt so foreign—so precious.
When the noise settled, Taro stepped forward. "Did you find him?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I left the room, dragged the body in, and dropped it at Taro's feet. "What does this look like to you?"
Taro's gaze softened. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Good work."
"I used enough pressure to knock him out, not kill him," I clarified.
Taro nodded, already pulling the man aside. I turned to Sai, Jiro, and Yuri. "Stay here and rest. We have something to take care of."
They agreed without protest, though their eyes lingered on the body with unease.
Once outside, I walked beside Taro. "You're going to do what I think, aren't you?"
He glanced at me. "I don't know what you're thinking. But yes—I'll interrogate him once he wakes."
I smiled faintly. "Exactly what I thought. I know you too well."
Taro returned the smile, though his eyes were already dark with intent. "Yes. You're right."