[Location: Entertainment District – Back Service Alley of the Club]
Makima stared at the man with a piercing gaze, as if she were assessing a valuable antique. "Listen," she said coldly, "when he comes looking for you, it's not just a coincidence." Her hand tightened slightly around the victim's wrist, though she didn't fully let go.
"He will definitely come looking for you if you vanish for too long," she continued slowly. "We need to make sure he doesn't suspect anything."
Fitran furrowed his brow, scanning the area before picking up a knife from the floor. "Or we let him call for him here," he said, spinning the knife's handle in his hand, then slipping it into his coat pocket. He looked at Makima, waiting for her approval.
Makima flashed a small smile, her expression reflecting a well-thought-out plan. "That's the plan. We don't need to linger on this any longer."
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
Bait Protocol Engaged – Attention-Para Residual Field redirected to Target Signal
Risk Level: Rising (Public Alert 31% → 47%)
Makima released her grip and gently yet firmly pushed the service door open. "Step outside, but stay on the path we've laid out. Three blocks east, then stop at the big red light. Never look back," she ordered with authority.
The man swallowed hard, his face etched with anxiety. "Y-Yes…," he stammered before dashing off in a haste.
Fitran watched from behind the door, worry clouding his thoughts. "Are you sure he'll follow all that?" he asked, his voice trembling between skepticism and hope.
"Fear is the oldest contract in this world," Makima replied flatly, her expression inscrutable, before they continued their steps outside. They trailed from a distance, remaining alert in the shadows. The entertainment district sprang to life again—music poured out from the surrounding clubs, the laughter of drunken patrons filled the air, and bright LED neon lights promoted drinks to every face that passed by.
The man stepped at the designated intersection. As he stopped beneath the red light, the crowd around him seemed to shift. A tall figure emerged from the darkness of the alley—clad in a black suit, his face concealed by a plain white mask.
Makima whispered, "There he is… Prepare the contract."
A masked figure tapped the shoulder of the man being used as bait. Silent, there was no sound, just a brief, meaningful movement of hands. Makima narrowed her eyes, her firm voice low yet clear, "Come on, hurry. We don't have much time." Two other men approached from the opposite direction, ready to move.
Fitran quickened his pace. "Three men. I'll take the one on the right," he said, his tone focused and steady. "Be careful of their moves."
Makima walked calmly, her fingers swiftly sliding the buttons of her coat, allowing space for the contract cord tied around her wrist. "Remember, we only need one of them. The others can be left alone."
The man on the right moved first—trying to drag the baited man towards the black car that had just stopped at the curb. "Now!" yelled Fitran, the pressure in the air felt oppressive.
Fitran launched himself from the side, shoving the opponent against the car hood. The metal screeched loudly. "Get down! Hurry up!" he shouted as the rapid assault began—an elbow strike landing on the temple, followed by a knee thrust to the ribs.
Makima faced the two other men, her eyes sharply assessing the situation. "Attention-Para contract activated... we don't have much time," she said in a firm, measured tone. Behind them, the glow of neon lights flickered unnaturally, obscuring the view of the people around.
He pulled the contract string with striking calm, sending a thin burst of energy that struck the chest of the second man. "Hmpf!" The man was pushed backward, crashing into a lamp post.
The masked man still held the baited guy, and Makima stepped closer. "You can let him go…" her voice was steady, yet contained a firm threat, "or I will force everyone here to see your true face."
The man glanced left and right—realizing that the crowd was indeed starting to turn, even though the masking effect was still working. "Damn, what should I do?" he thought restlessly.
He released his grip, but only to draw a curved knife from beneath his coat. "Makima! Watch out!" shouted Fitran, his breathless voice reflecting his concern as he saw the sharp glint.
The knife swung toward her, but Makima had already moved faster. "My contract string!" she whispered, as the cord wrapped around the man's wrist, pulling him forward, then releasing with a sudden jerk. The man's shoulder twisted awkwardly, the knife slipping free and floating in the air.
Fitran managed to catch it before it hit the ground. "We can't mess around here!" he snapped, then drove it into a wooden billboard beside him. "They'll start getting suspicious!"
The crowd let out a small cheer—some of them thinking this was part of the street performance. "This isn't a show!" Fitran shouted, but the cheers from the crowd drowned out his words.
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
Phase Two Complete – Target Secured
Public Alert: 49% (Threshold Safe)
Makima took a deep breath, grabbing Fitran's hand as if all of this was merely a chapter in a life filled with emotions. "We need to leave before their attention shifts back," she said flatly, her sharp eyes continuously scanning the crowd around them.
Fitran nodded, his gaze fixed on the flickering neon lights amid the chaos. "We need to activate the contract system right away. Attention-Para are ready to monitor," he stated firmly, quickening his pace.
The two of them stepped away, leaving behind the flickering neon lights that felt like the last breaths of the night. "It's better if this stays a secret," Makima added, her voice nearly choked by the clamor of the crowd. "They won't understand."
Fitran closed his eyes for a moment before clearing a path through the throng. "But we will understand. We're ready to face whatever comes next," he said, clenching his fist with determination, gearing up for the challenges ahead.