I perched above the city, looking down at the streets alive with chaos and order colliding.
Hunters patrolled predictably.
Exorcists chanted in their rigid loops.
Rogue spirits lingered, curious, untamed.
---
> [System Alert: Multi-Faction Density – High]
Perfect. Opportunity.
---
First step: rogue spirits.
I let a small pulse of Emotional Grounding, combined with Chaotic Signature.
Not enough to control. Just enough to communicate.
---
A wraith twisted its form in surprise.
Then aligned, following me—not as a servant, but as an ally-in-waiting.
---
> [Rogue Spirit Influence: Low → Moderate]
"…Good start," I muttered.
---
Next: humans.
I picked a small street corner, near an alley I'd saved a child earlier.
A young exorcist trainee watched from a distance.
---
I approached carefully.
No threats. No illusions. Just presence.
---
"Why do you protect… even when it's not required?" he asked, voice trembling.
"…Because someone has to," I said.
> [Human Influence: Minor → Observed Respect]
---
He hesitated. Then followed discreetly, curiosity overtaking fear.
---
> [Observation: Human + Rogue Spirit Coordination Possible]
I moved through the streets, letting rogue spirits orbit me like silent guardians.
Humans watching me from shadows, learning patterns, questioning their orders.
---
Above, Mira's voice echoed softly:
"You're weaving threads. One day, they'll bind together—or unravel spectacularly."
"…I like messy victories," I muttered.
---
I continued through the city, leaving small influences:
Rogue spirits guided subtly away from humans.
Hunters' patrols disrupted slightly.
Exorcists' doubts amplified through indirect observation.
---
> [System Update: Network Influence Established – Prototype]
"…Not control," I said aloud.
"Guidance. Influence."
---
A distant shimmer caught my eye.
> [Observer Operative: Monitoring]
Of course. Someone had to watch everything.
---
I smirked.
"…Let them watch. Let them wonder. Let them hesitate."
---
The city pulsed below, alive and unaware.
And I floated above, the calm in the storm, threads weaving quietly.
---