Night had fallen over the city.
The once-busy traditional market was now quiet, with only a few stalls still open and several people hurrying home. Ryan and Sophie hid behind a closed fruit stand, carefully observing their surroundings.
Around 9:00 PM, three men dressed in black entered the market. Their movements were calm but deliberate.
Ryan felt it immediately.
Their energy was unstable—rough, unrefined, and chaotic.
"They're around Level 2, Stages 5 to 7," Sophie whispered."Stronger than you for now. I'll handle two of them. You watch the last one."
Ryan nodded, swallowing his nervousness.
One of the criminals approached an elderly food vendor.
"Hand over all your money if you don't want trouble," the man snarled, his hand glowing with dark red energy.
The old man trembled and began opening the cash drawer.
Before he could finish, Sophie appeared in a blur, blocking the criminal's path.
"That's enough," she said coldly."Using your power to harm innocent people ends here."
The man recoiled, then sneered."Who do you think you are?! Stay out of this!"
At that moment, the other two attackers rushed Sophie from both sides.
Ryan's eyes widened.
One of them attempted a powerful kick from behind.
Without thinking, Ryan burst from hiding and raised his arm—coating it with natural energy just as he'd practiced.
THUD!
The kick slammed into his arm.
Pain shot through him, but the energy coating absorbed most of the impact.
The attacker stared at Ryan in disbelief.
"A rookie dares interfere?" the man scoffed."I'll show you how weak you really are!"