''Baterilla Island''
In the dimly lit alleyway, a tall figure emerged, cloaked in a heavy robe with a peculiar mask concealing their face.
Perched on their shoulder was a small cat, its keen eyes darting about, observing the bustling streets. The crowd was thick, people brushing past each other in the narrow passageways. In mere moments, the masked figure had melted into the throng, drawing little attention.
Baterilla wasn't exactly thriving, but it wasn't destitute either. It was the kind of place where street performers— masked and robed figures among them— weren't uncommon. At most, a few passersby stole glances at the imposing stature of the newcomer, murmuring in admiration.
"That guy's built like a monster!"
Hearing the hushed conversations, the towering figure glanced down from his great height, scanning the crowd. Inside his mind, a voice echoed— Rojen's.
"Our target is a woman— pregnant and alone. The first places to check would be the vegetable market or a baby supplies store."
"It's lunchtime now. Head for the vegetable market first!"
Jason's gaze swept over the streets before locking onto a crowded farmers' market. A grin tugged at his lips.
"There we go."
He had already memorized the woman's features. The moment she appeared, he'd recognize her instantly.
Before long, Jason reached the market. His towering frame loomed at the entrance like a sentry, naturally drawing attention. People instinctively stepped aside, glancing up at him with curiosity.
Lordling, the cat, sprang from Jason's shoulder to his head, its sharp eyes sweeping over the market.
Time ticked by.
Half an hour passed, and neither Jason nor Lordling had spotted their target.
"Still nothing. Maybe she didn't show up?"
"Wait a little longer."
Jason's expression grew solemn, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized every passing woman.
"She's pregnant and of average height. Should be easy to spot."
Another half-hour dragged on. Still no sign of her.
"This is getting troublesome."
Jason's brow furrowed, but neither he nor Lordling was ready to give up. The midday crowd had begun to thin, making it easier to survey the area. With his height, Jason had an advantage, his eyes flicking from one woman to another, even paying attention to heavier-set individuals just in case.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in town, Rojen stood shrouded in shadow, his fingers resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
His posture was tense, his gaze razor-sharp.
Like Jason, he was concealed beneath a black robe, his face hidden behind a mask.
The alley was deserted, yet Rojen's expression was deathly serious.
"Come out," he said quietly. "I can feel you."
Silence.
No one responded, but he knew better than to be deceived. His eyes darkened. Taking a step forward, he advanced deeper into the alley.
Seven steps in, his right hand twitched.
"Sing."
The sharp ring of a blade cut through the silence. A dazzling arc of sword light flashed— then, in the next instant, the weapon was back in its sheath.
In front of Rojen, a figure crumpled to the ground.
"Marines."
Rojen stared at the lifeless body, his gaze sharpening. The presence he had sensed earlier— it wasn't just this one.
That meant more had slipped away.
"So, they've already locked onto my movements." His voice was low as his grip on the sword at his waist tightened.
Three breaths later, he stepped forward, swiftly exiting the alley and merging into the bustling crowd.
"This works in my favor. It keeps their eyes on me."
He muttered under his breath, scanning his surroundings.
The faint but distinct presence of Marines loomed nearby, steadily closing in. They were hidden among the people, disguised or lurking in the shadows, but he could sense them.
"These pests need to be dealt with."
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he suddenly quickened his pace.
Half an hour later, his figure flickered—and then vanished from the Marines' sight.
The intelligence agents dispatched to track him had been tailing him since he first set foot on Baterilla Island.
"Gone?"
"Where did he disappear to?"
For a brief moment, the hidden Marines hesitated, caught off guard. But years of experience kicked in, and they immediately fanned out, resuming their pursuit.
They dashed through three streets before finally breaking cover.
"Damn it! He's nowhere to be found!"
Frustration crept into their expressions. They hadn't expected their target to be so perceptive— to shake them off so effortlessly.
They searched frantically, but Rojen had vanished without a trace. His presence, once unmistakable, had completely disappeared.
Even so, they refused to give up, combing the streets for any sign of him. But after several moments, they were left with nothing.
"He's really gone."
With no other option, they begrudgingly prepared to retreat.
But just as they turned away, their eyes widened in horror.
A cloaked figure stood before them, masked, his cold eyes piercing through the dim light.
"Looking for me, Marines?" His voice was quiet— yet it sent an icy chill down their spines.
"R-Rojen!" One of the agents stammered, unable to suppress his fear.
"That's right. But unfortunately…"
His hand shifted, fingers twitching against his waist.
A sudden flash of steel.
In the blink of an eye, Rojen moved. One moment he stood before them—
The next, he was behind them.
''Godspeed Drawn Blade Technique.''
"Pēng! Pēng! Pēng!"
One by one, the Marines collapsed, their bodies falling in eerie silence.
"Phew."
Rojen exhaled slowly, then leaped, disappearing into the night with a few swift bounds.
Once he emerged from the alley's darkness, the oppressive feeling of being watched finally faded.
A master of martial awareness, Rojen had honed an acute sensitivity to hostile gazes— an ability only sharpened further by his multiple possessions of powerful beings.
The sensation had dulled after leaving ''The Logan'', but the moment he arrived on Baterilla Island, it had latched onto him like a shadow.
That alone confirmed it— the Marines' surveillance on this island was airtight.
As he walked, his expression darkened beneath the mask.
"Marines."
"Too many Marines."
Every ten, twenty meters, another patrol. Some were in uniform, others hidden in plain sight. But they were everywhere.
"I need to find Rouge— fast."
His gaze flickered over the patrolling officers as he subtly picked up his pace.
"The residential district is this way."
Keeping his movements smooth and controlled, Rojen blended seamlessly into the crowd. Five minutes later, he turned down a wide alley, disappearing once more.
(End Of This Chapter)
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