"Hurry up!" A shout echoed through the narrow alley, bouncing off the towering buildings that loomed like giants on either side. Two kids sprinted behind a taller boy, their small feet pounding against the cracked cobblestones.


    The fog was thick, clinging to the air like a suffocating blanket, obscuring the faces of the people around them. The world felt distant, unreal, as if they were running through a dream.


    "Catch them!" A grown man’s voice bellowed from behind, followed by the heavy footsteps of others joining the chase. The kids darted through the maze of alleys, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.


    The tall boy at the front suddenly veered to the left, shouting, "Let''s split!" The others followed suit, scattering in different directions like leaves caught in a gust of wind.


    Among them was a boy with silver eyes, his small frame trembling with exhaustion. His clothes were ragged, his body marred with scars and fresh injuries.


    In his hands, he clutched a small package, the warmth of its contents the only comfort in the biting cold. He ran with everything he had, his heart pounding in his chest, his eyes darting left and right in a desperate search for an escape.


    Tak!


    His foot caught on a loose stone, and he tumbled to the ground. The package slipped from his grasp, tearing open as it rolled away. The food inside spilled onto the dirty cobblestones, some of it crushed under the weight of his fall.


    The boy’s eyes widened in horror as he scrambled to his knees, his hands trembling as he tried to salvage what he could. His knees were bleeding, the pain sharp and immediate, but he ignored it, his focus entirely on the food.


    As he knelt there, frantically gathering the scattered pieces, he felt a strange sensation—a pair of eyes watching him. He turned his head and saw her.


    Someone was looking at him, and he looked back at her. They couldn''t see each other''s faces as it was covered by fog. But it was undeniable that they both looked at each other in the eyes.


    She stood behind the windows of the tall building, watching him from high above while he was on the roads. That''s how far they were.


    He couldn’t decipher her features completely as the view was covered by the fog.The girl was his age, her white hair braided at the side of her ear, glimmering like a soft halo. The distance between them felt impossibly vast, despite how close they were—separated by nothing but fog and the towering buildings that loomed between them.


    The boy paused on what he was doing, their gaze lingering for a moment longer than he had anticipated. Feeling a strange mix of comfort, they both observed each other.


    It was a childish moment for both of them for different reasons. This unconventional staring contest was happening even though none of them could even see each other''s faces.


    The boy hesitated, his hand hovering over the last piece of bread. He wanted to call out to her, to say something, but the fog grew thicker, obscuring her silhouette. Before he could gather his thoughts, something hard struck the back of his head.


    *Pa!*


    Opening his eyes, Asher found himself on his bed, drenched in sweat. His breathing is heavy and uneven.


    ''It was a dream,'' he muttered to himself, though the emotions it stirred felt anything but imaginary. He had never had a dream like that before—one that felt so disconnected from his known memories. Could it be a fragment of his past, buried deep within his subconscious?


    As I felt my body finally relax in bed, I smiled at the thought of my past memory. I didn''t know who she was, but I could make a guess now.


    ''It was certain that I knew her from the past,'' I thought.


    The thought was both tantalizing and unsettling. If he continued to grow stronger, to ascend, would his memories return? The possibility was like a sweet temptation.


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    But he couldn’t afford to dwell on it. The cold air of the room brought him back to reality, and he pushed himself out of bed.


    The room was a mess, clothes strewn across the floor and the bed unmade. ''Hope Lucy doesn’t scold me,'' he thought with a wry smile as he began to tidy up. After freshening up and changing into clean clothes, he made his way downstairs


    "Good morning." I said a little energetically to Greth, who was still sitting on his new chair.


    Seeing Asher walking down Greth raised a brow in wonder as he looked at him.


    "Look like my jokes really get you good," Greth said, nodding to himself as if he’d just solved a great mystery.


    Asher’s face remained neutral. Whatever he’s thinking, it’s probably wrong, he mused, but didn’t bother correcting him. Instead, he made his way to the counter and sat down.


    Without replying, h sat on his usual seat, seated at the counter to get his breakfast.


    Finally getting his food on the table, Asher looked intently at the dry fish served to him.


    Seeing his reaction, Greth asked if he was concerned. "Is there something wrong?"


    "Yes, something is fishy about it." I said with a smirk.


    Greth''s eyes widen at my comment; after that, he chuckled as he shook his head in disbelief. "Goodness, you learn fast. Good, good."


    Seeing the fried fish laid on the plate, I took small bites, enjoying their taste. "Eating fish in the morning feels weird," I said.


    "I like them," Greth answered.


    "Well, to each their own." Asher said, taking another bite of his breakfast.


    "Again going out today." Greth asked curiously.


    "Yes," Asher nodded as he continued to chew his food.


    "Hey, do you know where 23rd Street is?" I asked if I had finally finished eating.


    "Have you seen the Temple? he asked.


    I nodded as I took a sip of water.


    "Just go in the temple direction but take a right turn at the far corner; just go straight after that." He said


    He looked at me thoughtfully as if considering something, then added in a small and cautious tone.


    "You are new here, so don''t venture deep and enter Philip Street."


    "Why?" I asked curiously.


    He sighed and told. "The biggest gang in this city resides there. Their leader is a transcendent from the rumors."


    I nodded, the information stored in my mind as a caution. I knew I had to be careful. "Thank you for the advice; I''ll be careful." I assured him.


    Standing up, I soon left the Cozy Inn. My destination is 23rd Street for debt collection. I had already contacted Albert to send me the next task; this time it was three awakeners, each with a debt of three thousand R.


    Luckily, all three resided in the same area, so I don''t need to lurk around finding them.


    Taking the route Greth suggested, I quickly reached my destination, hiding my face in the cloak.


    I started following a grown man.


    He was the first on my list, a burly man with a scruffy beard and a limp. His debt was the largest, and I had a feeling he wouldn''t be too pleased to see me. He walked with a heavy gait, unaware of the shadow that trailed him.


    As he turned into a narrow side street, I quickened my pace, making sure to stay just out of his line of sight.The buildings were closer together, casting deep shadows that made it easy to hide.


    "Why are you following me?" He asked, his voice rough.


    ''It seems I get caught. Need to work on my hiding skills.'' I reminded myself, making sure to take notes.


    "I am here to collect the debt you have taken from the Riven Hands." I answered with a deep and heavy voice, trying to conceal my real voice.


    It was so ridiculous and hard at the same time. That I found myself getting embarrassed inside, instantly regretting ever doing it.


    "Cough!" I again tried to repeat it, but it was too late now.


    The man stopped abruptly and turned around, his eyes scanning the alley. He spotted me and took a step closer, his hand reaching into his pocket. "What''s the meaning of this?" he growled, his eyes narrowing into slits.


    "I am only here to collect debt." I continued this nonsense of a voice. If I stopped it now, it would be much more embarrassing.


    The man took out a knife; the reflection of the distant streetlights shimmered on its blade. "I don''t know what you''re talking about, kid. You better run before things get ugly."


    "If you choose to fight, the debt will go up from three thousand to 3,500 R. Are you sure about it?" I warned him but hoped he would choose to take the bait.


    He took a step closer, the blade glinting in the dim light. "You think you can scare me with that kind of talk?" His voice was gruff, but I could detect a hint of nervousness.


    I smiled as I let him make the first move.


    He dashed at me at full speed, the knife held in my direction.


    With a swift ''static,'' his moving figure stopped. I instantly closed our distance at a blur of speed and disarmed him with a single strike to his hand. The knife flew from his grasp, spinning in the air. ''Static'' instantly got canceled; he was again able to move.


    His eyes widen in shock as he didn''t see anything that happened. Not giving him any chance, I threw a jab toward his face. Not wanting him to use his own ability.


    He stumbled back; I again stopped him mid-motion and kicked his ankles as he fell down.


    The world around Asher seemed to move in slow motion. His perception shifted with kairsoflow, the world sharpening as he adjusted to the pace of the fight. He caught the falling knife and aimed it at the man’s throat, a perfect, controlled stance.


    "What the...?" He stuttered.


    His world seemed to spin as he was unable to process what just happened. Just a few moments ago he was going to attack the man in front of him. But now he lay on the ground with his own knife pointed toward him.


    "So…do you wish to continue?" Asher asked.


    The man just slowly shook his head in disbelief, totally baffled.