Near the dumpster in the corner—something distorted.
The man leapt into the shadows—and vanished, the last trace of him was his ash-gray hair disappearing into the dark.
Then—he surged forward in a blur, reappearing in an instant. His blade thrust into the wall pinning a cloaked figure.
The distortion shattered.
The cloaked individual—once camouflaged—now stood fully revealed with one hand clenched tightly around a small parcel.
The girl stood still.
Her eyes flicked between the two of them—the man who had vanished into the shadows... and the one now who appeared out of nowhere.
Her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"What...?"
She hesitated, tightening her grip on the dagger.
"..You—"
Her gaze locked onto the man.
"...Since when can people do that?"
The man tilted his head slightly.
"What, are you curious?"
He had a faint smile on his face.
The girl clicked her tongue, irritation slipping through.
"...I just don't like not knowing what I'm dealing with."
The cloaked individual swung his arm at the man at an awkward angle.
The man reacted instantly, dodging the punch effortlessly. Using the momentum he caught the arm, twisted it, and threw the figure straight to the ground.
"You're not a good fighter huh."
The man's smile faded.
"You rely on your imprint too much."
The figure attempted to struggle—only for it to be futile.
The man tightened his grip, forcing the arms further behind its back.
"Stay still."
The figure jerked again trying to twist free. Without any hesitation, the man drove his elbow into the side of its head.
With a dull impact, the body went limp. The man let go of the body.
The figure collapsed onto the wet pavement. Rain fell steadily over them. The man glanced down briefly. Then his attention shifted to the parcel. Still clutched loosely in the figure's hand. The man stepped forward.
The girl didn't move this time—but her grip tightened around her dagger, her eyes tracking him closely.
The man crouched, reaching down—he grabbed the parcel with his hands. A faint smile returned.
"...Right."
He straightened slowly. And pointed at Vayne.
"...You."
The man tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"You noticed first."
He paused briefly.
"You didn't rush in impulsively either."
Rain poured down against the ground between them.
"You look like you'd be fun watching."
The man reached his hand out to Vayne with the parcel.
"Take it, I need you to go on."
Hearing that, the girl stepped forward, the rain causing her damp hair to stick to her face.
"...No."
Her voice cut through the rain. Eyes locked onto the parcel—then shifting to the man.
She moved.
A sudden lunge—Faster than before. Her dagger drove straight towards him.
She knew—It wouldn't work. She knew. And she still moved anyway.
The man didn't react immediately. He turned his body slightly—her blade missed. His hand caught her wrist mid-strike dropping the parcel..
She tried to pull back—she was stuck.
The man looked at her. No smile this time. No amusement. Just a cold stare.
"You're weak."
She stopped trying to move. Rain slid down her face.
"Tch.."
She clicked her tongue.
The man let go. His arm dropped slightly as she stepped back, catching herself before she lost her balance.
His attention shifted back towards the parcel. He bent down, picking it back up.
Then he held it out to Vayne.
"Take it."
Vayne didn't move immediately. He stared at the parcel. Then—he stepped forward. Grabbing the parcel from the man's hands.
He paused briefly.
Vayne looked down at the parcel in his hands.
Then—he turned. And held it out.
Toward her.
The girl didn't react at first. Her eyes lifted slowly—locking onto the parcel. Then she looked at him.
"...What are you doing?"
Vayne's expression didn't change.
He paused for a second.
"I didn't earn this."
His grip didn't waver.
"You fought for it."
Vayne's gaze shifted on to her face.
"This isn't mine."
He kept his hand out.
The girl replied.
"...Don't."
Her voice was quieter but sharper now.
"Don't patronize me, asshole."
She exhaled.
Vayne didn't respond.
"I tried, but I wasn't good enough."
The corner of her mouth twitched faintly—not quite a smile, not quite frustration.
She turned away, walking past both of them. And crouched beside the limp cloaked figure.
Her hand moved, pulling back the cloak—revealing a knife still slick with blood.
She grabbed the knife.
"...Next time."
She looked up at the man with a piercing gaze, her crimson red eyes cutting through the rain, slightly tilting her head.
"I'll win."
The rain fell steady between them.
For a moment, the man just looked at her.
"...Huh."
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Alright."
The man's posture loosened. The girl was staring directly at him.
Vayne's gaze sharpened at the figure.
The area around it warped. Like light around it was bending. The body started to move, not by will. It lifted.
All of them locked their gaze on the figure. The girl's eyes widened.
"…What—"
The space around the figure folded inward, like it was being drawn somewhere else.
Then—it was gone.
The girl stared with disbelief.
The man glanced at the empty space.
A pause.
"…Huh."
He shrugged.
"Anyway."
His attention shifted back to Vayne.
The girl's grip tightened around the knife once.
Then she turned.
"Do what you want with it."
She looked at the parcel.
"I'm done here."
She walked past them.
Her figure disappeared into the rain.
The man's attention shifted back to Vayne.
"To make this easier—"
He paused.
Like it wasn't worth much explanation.
"I'll stick with you."
Vayne was puzzled.
"Why."
The man replied immediately
"Don't ask questions."
He paused briefly.
"In return for the parcel, you will not ask any questions."
Vayne replied.
"Okay."
The man smiled.
"Good, I'll stay in your shadow."
Vayne replied.
"…Right."
The man stepped forward. Closer. Too close. He faded. His form thinned—breaking apart—until it slipped into the ground beneath Vayne's feet.
Vayne looked down at his shadow. A voice.
Came from below.
"They're coming."