Night had fallen, and the city was wrapped in a thick fog that clung to the narrow alleys and shadowed every street corner. I couldn't sleep, thoughts of Crow and the missing ghouls gnawing at my mind. Despite Touka's earlier words, I knew deep down that I needed answers.
Sneaking out of Anteiku, I moved cautiously through the empty streets, keeping to the shadows. If Crow was still in the area, I needed to find him before he made his next move.
[Stealth Mode Activated. Noise Suppression: Enhanced. Predator's Insight: Active.]
The system updates made me feel oddly reassured as I stalked through the labyrinth of back alleys. I caught the faint scent of blood and followed it to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the ward. As I approached, voices filtered through the cracked windows.
"—said he'd be here. We can't just wait around!"
"Shut up. Crow doesn't like impatience."
Peering through a gap, I spotted three ghouls, each armed with makeshift weapons, clearly nervous. Before I could assess the situation further, a figure dropped down from above—Crow. He moved like a shadow, silent and graceful.
"You're all on edge," Crow's voice rasped. "Good. Fear sharpens the senses."
One of the ghouls scowled. "We're not scared of you. We're scared of whatever's picking us off one by one."
Crow tilted his head, almost amused. "It's because you're weak. Strength attracts allies... and enemies."
My heart pounded as I tried to decipher his intentions. Was he testing them? Or manipulating them into something? Suddenly, Crow's head snapped in my direction. I froze, pressing myself against the wall.
"Someone's here," he said, his tone shifting to something darker.
I barely had time to react as Crow appeared behind me, his hand gripping my collar. I twisted free and put distance between us, facing him with a calm I didn't truly feel.
"Well, well," Crow mused, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "The fledgling warrior. You're braver than I thought."
"Cut the cryptic crap," I shot back. "What are you doing here? Why are ghouls disappearing?"
He didn't answer immediately, simply giving me that eerie, calculating stare. "Why do you care? You're not like them. You're... evolving."
My fists clenched. "Answer me."
Crow sighed as if bored. "The world is changing. The strong will thrive, and the weak will be culled. I'm simply... guiding the transition."
I took a step closer, unafraid. "So you're picking off weaker ghouls to create some kind of hierarchy? That's insane."
He smirked. "Survival of the fittest. Only those with purpose endure."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Touka stood at the entrance, her kagune unfurled, eyes blazing with anger.
I cursed under my breath. "Touka—"
She glared at me. "You idiot. You didn't even think to tell me?"
Crow laughed, low and taunting. "Isn't that sweet? Your little guardian angel."
Touka didn't hesitate, launching herself at Crow with deadly precision. He deflected her attacks with almost lazy movements, not bothering to counterattack.
"Predictable," Crow muttered, catching her kagune mid-swing and forcing her back. "You're fierce, but reckless."
I moved in to support her, but Crow jumped back, landing effortlessly on a nearby rooftop.
"Consider this a warning," he called down. "If you keep getting in my way... you'll learn why even predators fear me."
And just like that, he vanished into the fog, leaving Touka and me in tense silence. She rounded on me immediately.
"Are you out of your mind?" she snapped. "Going after him alone?"
I forced a weak smile. "I wasn't planning on fighting him. Just... getting information."
Her glare softened, just a bit. "Next time... don't be so reckless. You're not invincible."
My heart pounded, both from the confrontation and the realization that Touka had come after me, despite everything. I gave her a small nod. "Got it."
We made our way back to Anteiku in silence, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Crow's words held a deeper meaning. Whatever his intentions, I knew one thing for sure—he wasn't done with us yet.
[Quest Updated: Unveil Crow's True Intentions. Relationship Status with Touka: Strengthened.]