They didn't move immediately.
For a few seconds, Aarav and Mira stood side by side, both aware of the eyes watching from a distance.
Not panicking.
Not reacting.
Just… acknowledging.
"…So," Aarav said quietly, "how do you usually deal with people following you?"
Mira didn't look at him.
"…I don't let them follow me."
"…That sounds efficient."
"…It is."
Aarav smirked faintly.
"…Let's try something different today."
Mira finally glanced at him.
"…Different?"
Aarav started walking.
"…We ignore them."
Mira frowned slightly.
"…That's your plan?"
"…For now."
She watched him for a moment.
Then—
Followed.
"…You're either confident," she said, "or reckless."
"…I prefer flexible."
They moved through the streets at a steady pace, blending into the flow of people.
Behind them—
The watchers kept their distance.
Careful.
Consistent.
Exactly as before.
"…Still there," Mira murmured.
"…Good," Aarav replied.
Mira glanced at him.
"…You want them to stay?"
"…Of course."
"…Why?"
Aarav's eyes shifted slightly, scanning the surroundings.
"…Because if they're watching us…"
He paused.
"…They're not watching something else."
Mira went silent.
Thinking.
Then—
"…You're using them."
"…I'm using everything."
That answer was simple.
And honest.
Mira didn't argue.
Instead—
She adjusted her pace slightly, walking closer.
"…There's been increased activity near the eastern sector," she said.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"…Monsters?"
"…Not just monsters."
"…That sounds worse."
"…It usually is."
They turned into a quieter street.
Less crowded.
More controlled.
"…Reports say multiple creatures appeared at once," Mira continued.
"…That's new?"
"…Not exactly. But the pattern is off."
Aarav's expression sharpened slightly.
"…Pattern."
"…Yes."
Mira looked ahead.
"…They're not spawning randomly."
Aarav stopped walking.
"…Say that again."
Mira paused.
"…They're not random."
Silence.
Then—
Aarav smiled.
Slowly.
"…Good."
Mira frowned.
"…Good?"
"…That means there's a system behind it."
"…Obviously."
"…No," Aarav said quietly.
"Not the same system."
That—
Got her attention.
"…Explain."
Aarav shook his head slightly.
"…Not yet."
Mira didn't like that.
But she didn't push.
Instead—
"…Then we check it ourselves," she said.
Aarav nodded.
"…That was the plan."
The air felt different now.
Heavier.
More focused.
As if the world itself was preparing something.
Behind them—
The watchers slowed.
"…They're heading east," one of them said quietly.
"…Keep distance."
"…Understood."
Ahead—
The streets grew emptier.
Shadows stretched longer.
And the faint sound of something moving echoed from deeper within.
Aarav's screen flickered.
Just once.
[ A N O M A L Y D E T E C T E D ]
His eyes narrowed.
"…There it is."
Mira noticed the change.
"…What?"
Aarav stepped forward.
"…Now we find out."
Because whatever was waiting ahead—
Wasn't normal.
And this time—
He wasn't alone.