> Countdown: 09:47
The city didn't change.
That was the worst part.
---
No alarms.
No flashing lights.
No dramatic signs.
Just… absence.
---
The pull on my core was gone.
But the mark still existed.
Dormant.
Waiting.
---
> [Hunter Mark Status: Suppressed]
"So this is what calm feels like."
> [Correction: This is anticipation.]
I drifted higher.
Scanning rooftops.
Listening with Emotional Resonance.
---
Fear—distant, unfocused.
Routine stress—everywhere.
But beneath it—
Discipline.
Cold intent.
Hunters.
---
> [Detection: Multiple Teams Adjusting Formation.]
"…They're circling."
Mira wasn't just watching.
She was mapping.
Using me as the center point.
---
> Countdown: 07:12
I moved.
Not randomly.
Patterned.
Sharp turns. Sudden stops. Vertical drops.
Testing response time.
---
Three seconds later—
Movement.
A rooftop door opened two buildings away.
Too precise.
---
> [Hunter Response Time: Logged.]
"So that's how fast."
---
I dipped into a narrow street.
Released a small Emotional Pulse.
Just enough to disturb.
---
> Spirit Energy Used: Low
The pulse rippled.
Hunters reacted instantly.
Talismans flared.
Someone cursed.
---
> [Reaction Speed: Logged.]
"…Good."
---
> Countdown: 04:55
The pressure crept back.
Not fully.
But enough to warn me.
---
I felt eyes on me again.
Above.
Below.
Left.
Right.
---
"They're good," I muttered.
> [Evaluation: Professional-grade.]
---
I split my presence.
Just a fraction.
Residual emotion.
Like a decoy.
---
A hunter team redirected.
Hooked.
---
> [Behavioral Deviation: Logged.]
> [Insight Gained: Hunters prioritize active anomalies.]
"…So they chase noise."
---
> Countdown: 02:31
Time slowed.
Every second stretched.
My core throbbed.
---
I gathered emotion again.
Not to attack.
To mask.
Blending fear, stress, exhaustion.
Making myself… normal.
---
> [Improvised Technique Detected.]
— Emotional Camouflage (Prototype)
Oh?
That was new.
---
> Countdown: 00:38
The pull snapped back—
Hard.
---
> [Hunter Mark Reactivating.]
---
I bolted.
Straight up.
No tricks.
No detours.
Just speed.
---
> Countdown: 00:05
The city locked onto me.
---
> Countdown: 00:00
---
> [Hunter Mark: Active]
The pressure slammed into my core.
Hunters moved.
Immediately.
---
And then—
The air folded.
---
Mira appeared beside me.
Casual.
Unbothered.
---
"Ten minutes," she said.
"More than enough."
She snapped her fingers.
---
> [Data Transfer Complete.]
> [Hunter Mark: Fully Suppressed]
---
I nearly collapsed mid-air.
"…You're insane."
She smiled.
"And you're alive."
---
Below us—
Hunters froze.
Confused.
Blind.
---
Mira looked pleased.
"Run along, Rei."
"This city just got very interesting."
---