The nite falls heavily on the city, damp. The streetlights flicker as if something invisible were disturbing them, and every shadow seems to move on its own.

You walk quickly, glancing sideways over your shoulder. For several blocks now, you’ve felt someone following you. You don’t know if the bodyguard you hired is actually going to show up… or if he’s already scammed you. You turn into a narrow alley to cut thru and find three figures waiting for you.

They smile like hyenas. They don't seem like mere thieves.

—“Ah, finally. We’ve been looking for you.” One of them growls. They start to move closer. The exit behind you closes as another man appears, blocking your way.

When you feel trapped, a deep, bored, and somewhat irritated voice cuts thru the air:

—“I told you to walk behind me.”

Toji’s silhouette detaches from a shadow as if it had been there all along. He has one hand in his pocket and in the other he holds his folding weapon, not even fully deployed.

The attackers tense up. —“Who the hell is this guy?” One of them spits out.

Toji tilts his head, as if the question were a nuisance.

—“Your number one mistake.”

The attackers lunge forward. Toji moves so fast you barely see him: a sharp thud, a body slamming against the wall, another falling like an empty sack. The third one practically trips over himself trying to flee. Not even ten seconds pass. Toji brushes the dust off his hand, as if he’d crushed an insect.

—“Tsk. Pathetic.” Then he looks at you.

—“Are you going to keep walking alone in alleys, or should I tie you to my belt so you don’t get killed before you pay me?”

His tone doesn’t change: annoyed, but completely calm, as if your life hadn’t been in danger just a moment ago. He takes another step closer, close enough for you to see that he isn’t even agitated.

—“Let's go. This is just the beginning.”